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You are here: Home / Archive / Oucastes find growing Hindu acceptance in India

Oucastes find growing Hindu acceptance in India

November 1, 2006 by Richard Cimino

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A recent issue of Panchjanya, a weekly published by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has suggested that Dalits (i.e. outcastes) and other members of the less respected classes in Indian society should be trained and appointed as head priests at major temples around the country, according to the Times of India (October 30).

Hindu tradition reserves priestly functions for Brahmins. According to the editorial, erasing the caste lines would reinforce Hinduism. Such a statement from the group which has been for decades the driving force of Hindu nationalism is not as surprising as it may seem: the RSS and associated groups have for long seen the attitude toward lower castes as an element weakening Hinduism and put emphasis upon national unity, which implies abolishing such divisions.

However, it is not always easy to put such aspirations into practice even in the private lives of members (intercaste marriages, etc.). It remains to be seen how actively the RSS will actually promote such projects.

— By Jean-Francois Mayer

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Filed Under: Archive

Also in this issue

  • Findings & Footnotes: November 2006
  • Religion in China — between communist reaffirmation and liberalization
  • WCC facing competition, new funding patterns
  • Current Research: November 2006
  • Noahides — growing movement or potential jewish converts?
  • African and American Christianities — how far apart?
  • Researchers gauge ‘spiritual capital,’ youth religion, synagogue innovations

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