Bengaluru: Speaking at ‘Brahmana Atmeeya Sadasyatwa’ programme held in the regional cooperative training centre here on Sunday, Jan 4, Shri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math propounded the theory that the evil of untouchability was not begun by the Brahmins, but it was during the Dravidian times.
The programme was held under the aegis of Dhanvantari Foundation international Brahmin awareness organization.
He said that it was being wrongly projected that untouchability and illiteracity were Brahmins’ contributions. But in fact the practice had begun during the Dravidian times, with the branding of original Dravidians themselves as untouchables. For no reason at all Brahmins were being blamed for it. He challenged that he was prepared to prove this point with facts at any forum.
Whatever be the affiliations like Dwaita, Adwaita or Vishisthadwaita, in spite of the differences of opinion, all Brahmins were the same. When it came to social issues, all the three should come together, he urged.
Communities like the Lingayat, Vokkaliga and Dalits were focusing on their development. But the Brahmins should lay a stress not only on their own unity and development but also on that of the Hindu faith as a whole, he said. He said that the Brahmins should not bargain for reservations like other communities. The Brahmins should lay a stress on entrepreneurship and provide others with employment. Thus they should become stronger by individual effort, he further said.
Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao said that even Brahmins had been victims of attacks all the while. The poor sections too were in large numbers. The organizations of Brahmin communities should give top priority to food, education and health and chalk out programmes for that purpose. Brahmins held top posts in large numbers the world over. Just a rupee collected from each of them every day would generate enough funds for the development of Brahmins, he suggested.
Nalsar university vice chancellor Venkata Rao Rambhatla gave a call to the community to instill the aspects of culture and traditions in the children and give priority to education.
Dhanvantari Foundation’s managing trustee Dr P Kamalakar Sharma informed that already 1.30 lakh Brahmins in 20 countries had been enlisted. They included 2,000 doctors, 50 IAS and IPS personnel. With the help of the doctor-members, medical benefits were being given to those belonging to the community, he said.
Retired IPS officer B Gopal Hosur was also present on the dais.
