The Seven Shackles of Hindu Society
The Himalayan role played by Savarkar in the freedom movement is grossly undermined in the popular discourse. What is even more undermined is his role as a reformer of Hindu Society. His liberal views were unpalatable to many, including several of his associates who were otherwise working with him in the freedom struggle. But, being true to his convictions he continued immense work in this field with the topmost focus on eradicating the caste system from India.
Unlike his ideological rival Gandhi, who in principle was a proponent of the Caste System or Varnashram, Savarkar advocated and worked relentlessly towards complete and unconditional eradication of the caste system. Being a modern rationalist with a scientific temperament he was against maintaining old systems of society that have run their course. He said one must drop practices of the past that are no more relevant in the current times. In his view, the abhorrent practice of the Caste System and untouchability has done unimaginable loss to our civilization. He envisaged a total casteless society in the early 20th century much before it became a mainstream conversation driven by Gandhi and Ambedkar.
He spoke with reverence about the Indian Knowledge Systems comprising Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads but refused to let them become fetters in his foot. Although he did maintain that Sanatan Dharma does not talk about the hereditary caste system. He quoted that when Shri Krishan describes “Chaturvarnayam maya srushtam” or it is I who have created four varnas, he was referring that he had made people who have different qualities. There is no indication that Varnashrama has to be followed based on heredity.
He described the fetters in Hindu Society originating due to Caste System as The Seven Shackles of Hindu Society
- Vedoktabandi
He said that being Brahmin alone can’t be the basis of learning Vedic Literature. This vast pool of knowledge and wisdom should be available to every willing learner. Not just to all Indians but the whole world. The practice of Brahminical hegemony over Vedic Studies has to be done away with. He referred to Ved Vyas and Valmiki from ancient times and scholars like Shri Aurbindo, Swami Vivekanand, Bipin Chandra pal, who have attained great heights in scholarship but were not brahmins by birth.
2) Vyavasayabandi
There is a practice of hereditary even in business. Just because someone’s father or family is into some profession that should not be the only reason for an induvial to choose a profession. The choice of the profession must be based on one’s nature and aptitude. He gave the example of Dr. Ambedkar who came from the Mahr community whose profession was to skin the animals. India would have lost a great scholar had he continued in his paternal profession. He mentioned that it is not only a loss to the individual but to the nation’s productivity as well if one does not work based on one’s skill and talent.
3) Sparshabandi
Savarkar said that the practice of untouchability is a blot on Humanity. The trauma of the person who faces untouchability is indescribable. If the Hindu society has to advance, it has no choice but to get rid of this abominable practice and bring its untouchable brethren into the mainstream. He further maintained that the so-called untouchables are both willing and capable to serve the country in different capacities.
Being a pragmatic man, Savarkar not only exhorted the upper caste Hindus to stop practicing untouchability, but he also appealed to lower caste Hindus to stop practicing untouchability amongst themselves. For example, Mahrs who were treated by the upper-caste brahmins, themselves used to treat some other castes like Scavengers as untouchables.
He opined that untouchability needs to be eradicated from all the sections of society and not just upper-caste Hindus.
4) Samudrabandi
Societies tend to decay if they don’t get fresh air from other societies. Over the last few centuries, our young men were discouraged to travel to foreign lands as traveling abroad meant losing their caste. A ridiculous notion that resulted in Indian society being insulated and ignorant of what was happening in other parts of the world. Young Indians need to travel abroad without the fear of losing one’s caste and bring back the best of the world has to offer and spread the fragrance of Indian civilization across the globe.
5) Shudibandi
If somebody who earlier converted to the Non-Hindu faith by force, greed, own choice, or survival wished to reconvert back to Hindu faith, that individual was summarily rejected by the Hindu society. This pained Savarkar as he recounted that there is nothing mentioned even in any of the Shastras about the prohibition of such reconversion. It was a social evil against which he worked assiduously. He organized Shuddi movements and encouraged his associates to help those who want to return to the Hindu faith without any prejudice.
6) Rotibandi
Savarkar said religion is in the heart, the soul, the spirit, and not in the stomach. He wondered how eating with another Human Being of a different religion can rob somebody of its caste. Savarkar organized mass inter-dining events, many times at the cost of grave criticism by his associates.
7) Betibandi
Interfaith marriage was considered a shameful act and was discouraged across the sections of society. Savarkar said that this has done incalculable harm to the evolution of Hindu Society. He said the basis of marriage should be compatibility between the boy and girl, with the caste having no bearing. He again was not in favor of forced inter-faith marriages but was in favor of its encouragement by society.
Throughout his life, Savarkar continued writing and working on breaking these Seven Shackles of Hindu Society.
PS: This article is based on content from www.savarkar.org, My Transportation for Life by Savarkar, and Vikram Sampath’s book titled Savarkar — Echoes From A Forgotten Past.
