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Anti-Brahmanism, also known as Anti-Brahminism, refers to the historical hostility and prejudice towards members of the Hindu Brahmin caste. It has manifested most profoundly through the pseudo-religious cults (such as Self-respect movement) and perceptions of "struggle against the rituals and beliefs" which anti-Brahmins accuse Brahmins of imposing.

Scope

It ranges from individual hate-attacks to institutionalized attempts to vilify Brahmins. Anti-Brahmanism is carried out mainly in the Indian subcontinent where some sections of the media and polity engage in propagating a hostile or negative view of Brahmins and Brahmanism (a pejorative term for Brahmin practices, or sometimes, Hinduism). Allegations are made that though Brahmins are generally from the middle class, they have historically enjoyed considerable respect in the Indian society as scholars and priests. Such media claim that Brahmins form a small and elite community in India. Justification of anti-Brahmanism has now been incorporated in the curriculum of some states in India.^{[citation needed]} Anti-Brahminism is allegedly supported by organizations which are opposed to Hinduism or India.^{[citation needed]}

History

The Brahmins have historically served as Hindu philosophers, authors, teachers and priests. However, historically, in Hinduism, these roles are not exclusively reserved for Brahmins. Prominent non-Brahmin Hindu religious personalities have existed from ancient times to today.

Anti-Brahman pseudohistorians falsify accounts into beliefs that Brahmins are Aryans who came from Europe-Middle Asia and tried to conquer native Indians called Dravidians who were free from religion. Aryans said to be more physically weaker and mentally cunning have decided to conquer Dravidians through the "divide and rule" techniques (such as varnashrama) they invented, later known brahminism and then hinduism. Aryans wrote epics and other scripts in which they occupied higher positions; also when they pacified Dravidians towards their religion. None of these accounts are supported by reputable historians of any related discipline.

Indian traditions

Some Indian traditions have reflected some measure of anti-Brahmanism. In Buddhism, one was required to become a true Brahmin and attain Brahman before one could call themself a Brahmin, and the sangha accepted many Brahmins. Ambedkar, the founder of neo-Buddhism in India was ambivalent towards the Brahmins, knowing they were not really the oppressors. However in the past two decades the neo-Buddhists have turned increasingly hostile towards the Brahmins.

Abrahamic traditions

In Indian Christianity, although the claim (for example, in her book The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy whose mother is a Syrian Christian) that the Syrian Christians are descendants of Namboothiri Brahmins of Kerala, is not historically supported, it is widely made.

Christian missionaries in India observed with anger, the respect commanded by the Brahmins among Hindus, thus they tried to convert Brahmins, but with extremely limited success. A Jesuit missionary Roberto de Nobili (1577-1656) started claiming to be Brahmin, when he realized that his claim of being a Kshatriya has not been very effective. In the past couple of decade, some of the missionary organizations, having given up on Brahmins, have started focussing on the dalits and the tribals, and have initiated an active anti-Brahmin campaign.^{[citation needed]}

Examples of Anti-Brahmanism

In media

In literature

Documents created by an anti-Hindu hate group Dalistan, have created an extensive set of web-documents posted on their web-sites, promoting anti-Brahmin, anti-Hindu and separationist ideas. They have been widely promoted and quoted by anti-Hindu interests. Some of them are:

Documents created/hosted by Khalistan supporters:

Documents created by missionary organizations in India:

a fake document inspired by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and widely disseminated by the missionaries, specially among the dalits and tribals.

In magazines

Some magazines promote anti-Brahmin sentiments.

In Indian states

In Maharashtra

The Sambhaji Brigade attacked Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute of Maharashtra in January 2004, claiming that the Institute had defamed Shivaji. Later the Sambhaji Brigade issued statements reflecting anti-Brahmin sentiments.^[1]. Anti-Hindu elements among Dalit Christians and Christian Missionary groups are also numerous in Maharashtra^{[citation needed]}.

In Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is home to one of the oldest anti-Brahmin movements in India. Tamil Brahmins (Iyers and Iyengars) are frequently held responsible by some sections of the Tamil politicians and media for direct or indirect oppression of lower-caste people. Historically, lower-castes were not allowed into temples and schools in Tamil Nadu. More importantly, in British India, the Tamil Brahmins had built a hegemony in the Indian Civil Service sector. As a result the lower castes under the leadership of Periyar Ramasami launched a non-Brahmin movement called Self-respect movement, protesting the oppression. Thus, significant portions of Tamil Brahmins have migrated to other Indian states or overseas, and hold a considerable presence in the Indian diaspora worldwide.^[2]^[3].

In Punjab

The Tat Khalsa movement sponsored by the British government to create a pool from which loyal soldiers can be recruited. Punjab is home to Khalistani separationists who are generally strongly anti-Brahmin^{[citation needed]}. The movement's main source of support has always been from overseas groups.

In Northeast India

Successful proselytization by overseas organizations have created regions in eastern India where anti-Brahmanism flourishes^{[citation needed]}.

Notes

^ Anand Soondas (January 19, 2004). "Bonfire of cupboard of history - Pune institute continues to count the losses from attack by Sambhaji Brigade". Retrieved 2006-08-07.
^ Are Brahmins the Dalits of today?
^ 'We Are Like The Jews: Politics apart, Brahmin-bashing is rampant in literary and cultural worlds too'

References

Politics and Social Conflict in South India, the Non-Brahman Movement and Tamil Separatism, 1916-1929. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1969. By Prof. Eugene Irschik
Editorial by Francois Gautier on anti-Brahmanism
Article by Pdt Vamadeva Shastri (formerly David Frawley) on anti-Brahmanism
Article from well-known anti-semitic website preaching hate against Jews and comparing Hindu Brahmins to anti-semitic stereotype(s) of Jews

[1] Anand Soondas (January 19, 2004). "Bonfire of cupboard of history - Pune institute continues to count the losses from attack by Sambhaji Brigade". Retrieved 2006-08-07.

[2] Are Brahmins the Dalits of today?

[3] 'We Are Like The Jews: Politics apart, Brahmin-bashing is rampant in literary and cultural worlds too'

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 {{POV}}
-Not just neutrality disputed. this article is a complete '''LIE'''. Is Wikipedia official website of racist brahmins?
 {{Hinduism small}}'''Anti-Brahmanism''', also known as '''Anti-Brahminism''', refers to the historical hostility and prejudice towards members of the [[Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] [[Indian caste system|caste]].  It has manifested most profoundly through the pseudo-religious cults  (such as [[Self-respect movement]]) and perceptions of "struggle against the rituals and beliefs" which anti-Brahmins accuse Brahmins of imposing.