I know this interview will sparkle another caste war from rediff readers. Periyar was an atheist who believed in equality. He was against superstitious beliefs which are rampant even today. Even now his thoughts and teachings are relevant. Yes he did not critisize religious conversions and beliefs in other religions like Christinality and Islam. But he was not banking on vote bank politics like the politicians of today. His social movement did not take part in active politics or power but was only against rituals. Its also true he did not condemn other castes who were being brutal to dalits and targeted only brahmins. But we have to understand the context of the situation in 1920's n 30's. The elite class were oppresing the dalits and there were no opportunities for anyone to grow. Bharathi who himself was a brahmin was fighting against dalit oppresion by brahminis n non-brahmins alike. In early hinduism people were not born brahmins. Whoever wanted to take part in warfare were called 'Kshatriyas', people who were into farming called 'vyasas' and people who wanted to learn vedas called 'brahmins'. People who looked after animals were called 'shudras'. In later years a brahmin's son became a brahmin and so forth. We all are human beings who should believe in human values without caste, creed or sect. Castism will only die if people get their children married in different castes, language or religion (love or arranged marriage). God whether he exists or not does not expect religious rituals or prayers but only human compassion. Perform your duty well and look after your family. Give back something to society and if there is God you will be blessed. Periyar's teachings highlighted only the above and please dont start a caste war here in the messages. As educated individuals we should talk against castism and not have a brahmin non-brahmin fight here.
