CONVERSION IS SIN: Misleading Article by Aiya Muthu Krishnan?

Misleading Article by Aiya Muthu Krishnan?

Dear Aiya Muthu Krishnan,

I read your article, 'Travancore Tamil Women in Untouchable Cruelty' in fb. Published in Tamil Malar (21.08.2021) in Tamil. Your article is misleading.

I do agree that oppression took place in the name of 'jati' or caste but the blame is on Hinduism, Varna and Aryan is in appropriate. The oppression happened everywhere and Travancore history the worst but I think in my opinion your article is biased. But Aiya wrote this article with emotion and not fully fact based. Opinions may differ. Maybe you can verify further.

1. Blaming Aryan a False Notion.

'ஆரியர்கள் இந்தியாவிற்குள் காலடி வைத்த காலக் கட்டத்தில் இருந்து'

a.You blamed the Aryan on jati issue but the Aryan race never existed. It is a myth created by Western Indologist called Max Muller, he retracted later. So, the entire premise of the claims have no ground and collapse by itself.

b. Arya is not a race, it is the definition of a Sanatanan or Hindu. Arya means noble, civilized, enlightened about the Supreme Brahman (Param porul) and led by the Brahman. Means 'arinthavan' in Tamil. Even the word ‘Aiya’ in Tamil is derived from Arya with the same meaning.

c.People of Bharata are the Aryans.

i.Recently, DNA evidence suggested, entire Indians from north to south are the same. And

people migrated out of India probably after the Toba Volcanic eruption 75,000 yrs ago.

ii.Vedas never mentioned the migration of Aryan from anywhere outside India.

iii.Sangam literature (Ilakkiyum) mentioned Aryan were from the land below Himalaya…

iv. B.R. Ambedkar rejected AIT.

v. Etc

2. Varna, Jati and Caste.

I would say, you confused the terminology of varna, jati and caste.

Hindu Scriptures clearly mention that the same/only Brahman is in everyone, thus everyone is equal at atmic level but not physical level. Mentioned in Manusmriti, Bhagavad Gita and Tirukural as well. How is it possible one is lower than others if the same Brahman is in every child of God? Don’t you realise, when you say Vanakam, Namaskaram, or Namasthe, you are actually acknowledging the Brahman in the other person?

a.Varna is endorsed in Hindu scriptures based on gunas ( attitudes and characters) and karmas (actions and deeds) not by birth. It is also determined based on education, job, attitude and pietyness. Varna fully depends on the early education system, where everyone must go through Brahmachari stages in life.

b.While, Jati is a derivation from misinterpreted varna, jati is based on birth and inheritance. Hindu scriptures mentioned that there is only one jati. But in reality, people turned into jati later when the education system was destroyed by the invaders from Arab, Mongol, Portugis, and British. Children started to learn from parents, thus jobs inherited among family. Furthermore, people are recognised based on their job background and become jati.

c.While the word caste was introduced by the Portuguese, they applied caste (Casta) in Spain and Portugal in the 1500s approved by the Church. Caste is based on birth, inherited either to maintain status quo/privilege and ego of certain groups by oppressing another group to deprive their rights and discriminate against them. There is no single word equivalent to caste in any of Hindu Scriptures. Missionaries use caste to convert Hindus.

3. Aren’t all were Tamils?

'தமிழர்கள் மீது எண்ணற்ற அடக்கு முறைகள்.'

You blame the so-called high Jati (Uyar Jati) people who oppressed the Tamils. It sounds as though non Tamils oppressed Tamils. The question is, are these so called Uyar Jatis not Tamils? As far as I know, the evidence of humans suggesting, all of them are Tamils. The Brahmins are also Tamils, except in certain parts, in Kerala they were Malayalees both so called high or low jatis.

3. Cannot wear upper Garment and Mulakkaram Tax.

a.You claim, 18 jatis cannot wear upper garment, you mentioned Manusmriti. "மனுதர்மம் அப்படிச் சொல்வதாக ஒரு சாணக்கியச் சட்டத்தை எடுத்துப் போட்டு" Which verse?

Not wearing an upper garment is part of rituals in temples even today for males when taking part in rituals. In Kerala, they are stricter. Misuse happened and some people manipulated it to their own gain.

b.You mentioned breast tax (upper garment tax) on women but why never mentioned Xendi tax (Brahmin kudumi / tuft hair tax) on Brahmins? If the breast tax was imposed by the high Jatis, then what logic would they (high jati/ Brahmins) impose Xendi tax on themselves?

c.The 'breast Tax' is imposed on Nadar palmyra todi women climbers. It is actually tax for todi not for dress. Not all Nadar people work as todi climbers, there are rich landowners as well.

d. 'தமிழ்க் குடும்பங்கள் கிருத்துவ மதத்திற்கு மதம் மாறின.' The tax imposed by government and missionaries used this opportunity to convert people. Those converted have no need to pay tax but settle by 'Uleeum' work as missionary servicewomen. So, who's agenda is this?

e.The taxes were paid to the administrators (Portuguese /Europeans / administrator) not to the upper jati. In fact, there is no tax was imposed on Brahmin to Shudras. Some tax imposed on certain groups like the todi climbers.

f. Slavery practice in Kerala is the real oppression. During Travancore Princely State, the lowest group not within varna were treated as slaves for various reasons. Some became a slave because owe money, sold or outcasted and etc. These groups were taxed. Some so-called historians hide this part and blame Hinduism, Brahmin, and Aryan. Yes, oppression took place, Swami Vivekanda described it as lunatic. ( edited 24/08/21)

5. Maintain Distance.

' ஓர் ஆரியனிடம் இருந்து 36 அடி தொலைவில் நிற்க வேண்டும், ...'

a. You mentioned about maintaining the distance one needs to stand certain feet away based on one's Jati. What is the source? Hindus generally have certain rules to follow when there are issues of birth, death, menstruation and some ill deeds. It cannot be generalized. Did you realise, now everyone must stay at least I meter away? Do you think this is oppression?

b. Certain people were prevented from dipping in the pond. This is practiced, nothing to deny. Certain people who were involved in certain jobs such as dealing with dead people permanently, etc. were prevented from entering ponds ( the only source of water those days) to avoid the spreading diseases or viruses which might be with them. For example, we don’t go to temple in the event of death, birth to 30 days, the only reason is to prevent any negative elements in case. But of course it was used by certain dominant groups to manipulate others later.

6. Oppression of Travancore.

Oppression took place in Travancore, no one can deny. But, did high Jatis /Aryan exist only in Travancore? Why does this kind of oppression never take place in other places in India?

Do you know who collected the tax? Who is the administrator/king of the Travancore Presidency?

These kinds of taxes were imposed by the British throughout their colonies. Did you know there was a tax imposed (cukai kelamin) on married couples to sleep together in East Malaya during British rule. Which high Jatis came and imposed it? Isn't this oppression?

So, the article is definitely misleading. Of course I don’t agree with any kind of oppression or discrimination to anyone based to their birth or way of life. But certain groups maintain their rules to protect each other for certain reasons which might not be applicable forever.

Covid 19 made the entire population of the world become untouchable to each other. Today, all the governments imposed the rule, no touching, stay away a distance of minimum 1 meter, etc or will be fined, jailed. Is this oppression or precaution?

So, please don't blame Hinduism or Aryan in a blanket for the human actions which are not endorsed in any of Hindu Tenets.

Om Namasivaya.

Sivasiddhi.

Sivasiddhi Spiritual Foundation

22 August 2021

Reference.

1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryan

2.Aiya Muthu Krishnan’s Article in Fb

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4774699029210907&id=100000125720210

3.Untouchability in Hinduism.

http://sivasiddhi.blogspot.com/2021/08/untouchability-in-hinduism.html

4.Varna, Caste and Jati : The Truth That Misappropriated. (No Caste in Hinduism.)

http://sivasiddhi1082.blogspot.com/2018/08/varna-caste-and-jati-truth-that.html?m=1

5.Xenddi tax

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenddi

6. Breast tax

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_Tax

7.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JKqD8mbHA-JuMzkFrt3b1lP4JoQoYIDBxvuKiFFnvw0/edit

8.Satus of women in Travancore

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nZlyhq47CsGF9mYdgVX0J9p_xcLKfgeFKciUhU_wfM8/edit

9.Robert L Hardgrave, The Nadars of Tamilnad. https://books.google.com.my/books?id=KZ9mqiLgkdEC&pg=PA59&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

10. Breast cutting story is hoax

https://www.hindupost.in/society-culture/breast-tax-a-false-story-to-attack-hindus/?fbclid=IwAR3KcWp-QpcmgH7jeMPhU5ztxK50n5nNG0-HauqZAXYKO60L6ZxYEVapGsg

https://www.facebook.com/groups/world.hinducom/permalink/2918502048193330/

11..Do you know During Goa Inquisition these devices were used to rip women's breast

https://www.sadhana108.com/2020/12/27/how-francis-xavier-tortured-hindus-and-ripped-breasts-off-hindu-women/