THE FORCES OE CASTE ARE BEHIND THE INDIAN UNREST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 8

THE FORCES OE CASTE ARE BEHIND THE INDIAN UNREST.

To-Day’s Signed Article

Specially written for the “Star”

By

A. R. Slater.

The members of the Simon Commission, appointed to collect material on which the British Government may legislate for the further political development of India, must have been amazed at the very conflicting points of view pre-

sented to them by the various classes in India. The opposing views of the Hindus and the Mohammedans are fairly well known, and the fact that these great religions find it almost impossible to reach any common ground of agreement makes the solution of the political problem exceedingly difficult. Numerically and intellectually the Mohammedans are inferior to the Hindus, and any system of representation in the government of the

country that depends on mere numbers or ability, that is, that does not take into consideration the communal question is bound to be a failure. The bitterness between these two great faiths was probably never stronger than at the present time, and every attempt to relegate the Mohammedans to a place of inferiority will be deeply resented.

But it is not so generally realised that there are divisions among the Hindus in which the jealousy is equally strong, and that some of the most strenuous opposition to the views of the Extremists comes from those sections of the community who realise that excessive power in the hands of the high caste will render their position more difficult and deprive them of the political power they themselves have steadily been gaining under the impartial rule of the British.

As long ago as 1833 the British Parliawent laid it down emphatically that “ no native of the said Indian territories shall by reason only of his religion, descent, colour or any of them be disabled from holding any place, office or employment under the company.”

Equal Opportunity. This was aimed not merely at including Indians in the work of the administration which was mainly controlled by British officials, but of ensuring that the members of a,ll castes should be given an equal opportunity. Before the advent of the British practically all the high posts were in the hands of the higher castes, and they exercised their power in the interest of their own families, the lower castes being kept in complete subjection. Not the least of the grievances against the British administration is the limiting of ,the powers of these ruling classes who held their position mainly on religious grounds, and not on account of military or other useful service to the State. By throwing open all Government offices to all Indians, irrespective of caste considerations, a very heavy blow was struck at the monopoly these high-caste people held.

Powerful Brahmans. Of these, the Brahmans were far and away the most powerful, and they deeply resented the change which, unless counteracted, would seriously diminish their prestige, for in numbers they were almost negligible. No one can doubt the ability of the Brahmans, and throughout the history of India they have exercised a strong influence.

They were also quick to see the way in which the authority might be maintained under the British rule, which recognised only ability and not religious standing as a qualification for office. It was necessary that large numbers of Indians should be employed in the work of the Government, and as a knowledge of English was essential, the Brahmans quickly set themselves to master the language, and made themselves necessary to their English rulers. Though they did not retain the high positions previously held they gained an influence that made them practically masters of the situation. They took advantage of every scheme for advancing their education, with the result that even to-day they stand head and shoulders above the other castes in ability and influence.

Feeling Among Non-Brahmans. But alongside this movement for strengthening their position has developed a strong feeling among the non-Brahmans against

their hereditary subjection, and this growth has been specially e\’ident in recent years. The non-Brahmans far outnumber the Brahmans, but on account of the inferior position they have held* through the ages, they have not had the opportunity of developing their intellectual and political capacities. They are fully aware that their only chance of consolidating their position is the continuation of that rule. In South India especially, the non-Brahmans have set their faces determinedly against the Brahman monopoly, and a very strong party has been formed in recent years, which has not yet consolidated its power. But as an evidence of its growing strength, in the first elections for the reformed councils they almost swept the board, and the first Ministry in the Madras Presidency was nonBrahman. The “ Untouchables.” But there is another class, numbering no less than 60,000,000, who can scarcely be classed as Hindus at all, and who up to the present have not been in a position to exercise any influence on the situation. The Depressed Classes, or “ untouchables ” have never been granted any rights under the Hindu social system, and it is impossible to exaggerate the degraded position to which they have been condemned through the ages. There is no greater blot on the name of India than the treatment afforded to these people. They must live in villages apart; they must carry out all the degrading menial services; they are not allowed in the temples; they are forbidden the use of any wells save those set apart for them; they must not approach a high caste man, who would be contaminated by their very presence. In South India and in Malabar they are treated worse than pigs, and until the British power made itself felt they were virtually the slaves of the caste people. In tbe last fifty years large numbers of these Depressed Classes have been brought into the Christian Church, with such results that the change is nothing short of marvellous. Hope of Salvation. To these people the only suggestion of hope for the future has come from the British Government, which has tried to alleviate their lot. But to this day, although the letter of the law is on their side, custom and popular prejudice deny them the free use of the public roads, bridges, and ferries, and the law itself is not strong enough to secure them free access of the law courts and the schools. But in recent years, as the result of the spread of education, their political consciousness has been developing, and the Government has insisted on representatives from them being placed on the councils There is no doubt whatever that, given a chance, they will prove themselves worthy citizens. Their leaders are ready to support the cause of national development, but they insist that their own hope of salvation rests on the continuation of the British connection. (Anglo-American N.S. Copyright.)