Caste: Difference between revisions

They are known as Khalsa but not Jatt, Nai, Brahmin etc.

Caste or Caste systems is a system of social stratification existed in India and many parts of the world.

• The concept of Varna may be translated as "class," and refers to the four social classes which existed in the Hindu society, namely Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
• Jāti may be translated as caste, and refers to birth. The names of jātis are usually derived from occupations, and considered to be hereditary and endogamous, but this may not always have been the case.

Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race.

Untouchability and Religious Prohibition

As per Caste System described in Manu Smriti, Shudra are considered as lowest caste and untouchable. The post-Vedic texts, particularly Manusmriti mentions outcastes and suggests that they be ostracized. They are:

• Not required to observe any Vedic Rituals,
• Not allowed to Study Vedas,
• Not allowed to hear Sacred Chants of Vedas,
• Not allowed to eat food with High Castes,
• Not allowed to drink water from where High Caste fetch,
• Not allowed to marry high castes,
• Even high caste marry with them; that person gets outcaste,
• Stay away from homes of high caste people.

Sikh Bhagats started preaching against this mentality and proved that Religion have no relation with Jati. Thereafter Sikh Gurus preached equality to all.

Sikh Bhagats on Caste System

The attack on Caste System was initiated by Sikh Bhagats including Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas etc. As pundits preached that low caste will not able to attain salvation:

• Bhagat Namdev States that he belong to low social class and he met lord:
  

ਹੀਨੜੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਦਿਮ ਰਾਇਆ ॥ ਛੀਪੇ ਕੇ ਜਨਮਿ ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I am of a low social class, O Lord; why was I born into a family of fabric dyers? ||1||Pause||

• Kabir said his heart is dwells by Lord and social status is of no mean.
  

ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾਤਿ ਜੁਲਾਹਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਬਸੇ ਗੁਪਾਲ ॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਮਈਆ ਕੰਠਿ ਮਿਲੁ ਚੂਕਹਿ ਸਰਬ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੮੨॥
Kabeer, what can my lowly status as a weaver do to me? The Lord dwells in my heart. Kabeer, the Lord hugs me close in His Embrace; I have forsaken all my entanglements. ||82||

• Bhagat Ravidas also said that Head of Brahmins bows down before me because he achieve the salvation:
  

ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਕੁਟ ਬਾਂਢਲਾ ਢੋਰ ਢੋਵੰਤਾ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਆਸ ਪਾਸਾ ॥ ਅਬ ਬਿਪ੍ਰ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤਿਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਣਾਇ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸਾ ॥੩॥੧॥
It is my occupation to prepare and cut leather; each day, I carry the carcasses out of the city. Now, the important Brahmins of the city bow down before me; Ravi Daas, Your slave, seeks the Sanctuary of Your Name. ||3||1||

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