The vedas were entrusted to Brahmins for safe-guarding when the religion came under attack from foreign invaders. However, the Brahmins have modified things to the point that others have become "untouchables" or "unworthy" of God. One doesn't become a brahmin by birth. The true brahmin is one who realizes brahman or God. One doesn't attain that God merely by reading, memorizing and preaching the vedas. A true knower is a true brahmin/brahman and are the likes Krishna, Buddha or Christ. Valmiki wasn't a brahmin by birth- he was a forest dweller and hunter. He wrote the Ramayana after knowing that "brahman" or God and thus became a brahmin by deed. There are many brahmins by birth who are 'chandalas' by deed.
