Jul 15 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Ancient caste system worked well: ICHR head
Akshaya.mukul
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New Delhi
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Discussing the caste system, newly-appointed chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) Yellapragada Sudershan Rao wrote in a blog in 2007, “Positive aspects of Indian culture are so deep the merits of ancient systems would be rejuvenated.“In the blog-article titled, `Indian Caste System: A Reappraisal', he wrote: “The (caste) system was working well in ancient times and we do not find any complaint from any quarters against it. It is often misinterpreted as an exploitative social system for retaining economic and social status of certain vested interests of the ruling class.“
He added, “Indian caste sys tem, which has evolved to answer the requirements of civilization at a later phase of development of culture, was integrated with the Varna system as enunciated in the ancient scriptures and dharmasastras.“ New ICHR chief Yellapragada Sudershan Rao’s views on the caste system have triggered a debate.
Historian D N Jha said, “Rao’s article is reflective of his primitive mentality. It is gross revivalism. If the ancient caste system is justified in modern context, why not have a brahmin PM instead of Narendra Modi. Rao has been appointed by an OBC PM.” Rao made a distinction between the caste system and the varna system. He said while the caste system classifies the community, the varna classifies the functions of an individual. “Varna leads one to moksha (the liberation of the soul) while caste system is meant for the material and human resource management of a civilized society.” Rao said questionable social customs in India pointed out by English-educated Indian intellectuals did not exist from ancient times but “could be traced to this period of Muslim rule in north India spanning over seven centuries.” For the full report, log on to http://www.timesofindia.com
He added, “Indian caste sys tem, which has evolved to answer the requirements of civilization at a later phase of development of culture, was integrated with the Varna system as enunciated in the ancient scriptures and dharmasastras.“ New ICHR chief Yellapragada Sudershan Rao’s views on the caste system have triggered a debate.
Historian D N Jha said, “Rao’s article is reflective of his primitive mentality. It is gross revivalism. If the ancient caste system is justified in modern context, why not have a brahmin PM instead of Narendra Modi. Rao has been appointed by an OBC PM.” Rao made a distinction between the caste system and the varna system. He said while the caste system classifies the community, the varna classifies the functions of an individual. “Varna leads one to moksha (the liberation of the soul) while caste system is meant for the material and human resource management of a civilized society.” Rao said questionable social customs in India pointed out by English-educated Indian intellectuals did not exist from ancient times but “could be traced to this period of Muslim rule in north India spanning over seven centuries.” For the full report, log on to http://www.timesofindia.com
