CASTE TENSION IN INDIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3382, 11 July 1927, Page 8

CASTE TENSION IN INDIA.

“The tension between the caste and non-caste Hindus is becoming more end more acute. The outcast is getting more suspicious of the good intentions of his so-called benefactors, and is beginning to claim some rights for himself. This also will bo laid to the charge of the British Kaj, or, perhaps, Lord Tncheape will blame the missionaries ” This statement was contained in the report on the Indian mission which was presented to the Presbyterian General Assembly in Syd nev recently.

‘We had a sample of this a few months ago,” the report stated, “when the representatives of 40 families of non-castes went to Mr C. Turnbull, a Presbyterian missioner in India, stating that they had gone on strike over certain proposals made by the caste people, that they were suffering for food, and asking him to come and mediate for them. When he said, ‘You are not Christians. Why do you come to me?’ they replied, ‘We are outcasts, and who is there to help us if the missionary does not ? ' Knowing something of j pride and arrogance of tire other party, some of whom he knew personally, he said that it was no use his taking up the mater unless the caste people agreed to accept his mediation. ‘ A week passed, during which the strike continued and crops were withering, and then one evening the caste people called at the bungalow to say that if Mr Turnbull would go and settle the dispute they would abide by his decision. Early next morning he went to the village, and after sitting and listening impatiently for an hour or more while he was told in trm Oriental fashion what an extraordinary good fellow he was, he was able to get t« work. By mid-day the dispute was settled and the people returned to their work, and, incidentally, he to his.”

There are still large families in the provinces of France, hut the record of the Vizades, of Auvergne, must bo hard to heat. Jean Yizade. a farmer, who died 35 years ago, had married Virginie Vissae, and no fewer than 81 of the descendants mot recently at a gigantic family party—ls children, 43 grandchildren, and 26 great-grand-children.