Beyond Brahminical Blame: A Mudaliyar’s perspective on historical memory & orchestrated modern divides Here is a viewpoint that puts @jsaideepak ‘s call in context, followed by some pertinent questions. Long🧵
I’m a Mudaliyar, of the same community as the founder of Justice Party Dr.Natesa Mudaliyar. The Party which sowed the early seeds of present-day politics in Tamilnadu. Why @jsaideepak ‘s call matters and why an honest introspection is needed… an attempt at a pragmatic look.
I begin with my kula deivam - Madurai Veeran, who belonged to Arundathiyar community (now classified under SC/ST). One string of our ancestors are Thuzhuva Vellalar (celebrated by Kambar in ‘Thirukkai Vazhakkam’ for their Saivite devotion, where 16 of the 63 Nayanmars were
among whom was the only woman of all 63 Nayanmars, and he also wrote gloriously about their agrarian ingenuity) recently classified under BC.. a societal descent viewed with humility by those of us who don’t intend to seek benefit from such classification, the other half of our
I care to mention this, for if I ever, by play of fate, am accused under the atrocities act, my kula deivam’s caste would be of little help to save me. That’s the legal climate we live in. Imagine what chance a Brahmin or any other Forward Caste person stands. This isn’t
The wedge in the minds of Justice Party founders like Natesa Mudaliyar wasn’t driven deep in a vacuum. The 1871 census attempted varna classification in Tamil society—a notion foreign to its organic jati system—and was resisted, especially by Vellalars.
But in the 1881 and 1891 censuses, the British cemented classifications that rebranded affluent communities like the Vellalars as Shudras. Later changed to Vyshyas after treacherous legal battles. This bureaucratic mischief seeded resentment.
The Mudaliyars, once respected for their contributions to agrarian growth by all sections of society including the kings, saw this as an intentional slight—possibly even engineered by rival caste elites vying for administrative dominance under the British East India Company.
Whether the Brahmins truly colluded or not, the British delighted in the emerging rivalry—knowing well, division would serve the imperial order. Two decades later the Justice Party took shape, with a side kick in the party by name EV Ramaswamy… who later went on to become its
Would the party’s founders have approached their differences differently had they foreseen how deeply this would fracture tradition? Quite possibly. Their own lives—rooted in Bhakti-era memory—suggest they were more socially responsible than many modern-day ideologues.
Today, most citizens with very little knowledge of history and foresight of future, gullibly cheer these so-called leaders while they hammer the wedge deeper through minor fissures. To enforce religious conversion on large scale, proselytizers often seek to sow hate towards
If people can be made to resent their ancestral traditions, they’ll more readily adopt an externally imposed religious identity. That’s why Brahmins are often positioned as the enemy—for their pivotal role in sustaining temples, music, education, and spiritual practices.
If non-Brahmins are made to turn against Brahmins, then the entire Hindu structure begins to unravel. If Sanatana Dharma is an umbrella under which all castes and sub-castes survive, then it is these very castes and sub-castes that form the framework of that umbrella. Both
And it’s continuity and cosmic consciousness is protected and perpetuated in large part by Brahmins. Before we participate in dismantling Brahmins of today or silently watch others attempt such, we must ask ourselves the following questions…
1) What great harm has any Brahmin done to me personally.. like the stories we hear from centuries ago? How do those stories compare with the then Abrahamic clergy in India and around the world?
2) Why should a Brahmin be obligated to dedicate his life in keeping the tradition of Sanatana Dharma? If your answer is economic reasons, then you are intellectually dishonest or simply ignorant of their broader capability to excel in other fields.
3) Wasn’t it mostly Brahmins who kept the oral tradition of our scriptures alive? Dedicating generations of their families to that cause? 4) What scale of contributions have I or my elders made, to claim any moral right to question their integrity towards Dharma?
5) Would I rather have my children be guided by a Brahmin in a Gurukul or by the clergy of other religious entities like in a Madrasa or a Parochial school? 6) Am I as devoted a Sanatani as a practicing Brahmin? If not, am I atleast of some use in protecting what I received
7) Does a Brahmin not have children with ambitions of modern life with much needed gadgets and technology? Does his meagre salary as a temple priest or a school teacher suffice for all that? 8) When was the last time I visited a Vedapatashala? Would I dedicate my child to one,
9) What right do I have to be entitled to benefit from the hardships of our forefathers from centuries back? And what kind of persona such an entitlement build in my own child. 10) How fair is it, to punish Brahmins today for alleged actions of their ancestors centuries ago?
11) Why do Brahmins excel in fields of Science, Technology, Foreign Affairs, Law and administration? If your answer is nepotism without merit and hardwork, then you are dishonest. 12) Each year on Vaikunta Ekadashi, the day Maha Vishnu awakes after his four month yoga-nidra..
13) Even Brahmins had ideological differences within… but the then saints and kings gave us the Bhakti movement, emphasizing the importance of unity for greater good. Can or will any political power today endeavour such a pursuit?
14) Haven’t Brahmins historically also supported under-privileged groups through mattams and educational trusts? Who is behind the Sthalapuranam of Udupi Krishna temple?
15) Is there a single community in the entire country with no bad elements within? If your answer is none… then you must ask yourself ‘why is that I’am asked to pick on Brahmins?’ And how is it benefitting me or the society at large?
We, the Hindus, have grown selectively lazy and thoughtless in our resistance – often mistaking superficial outrage for purposeful righteousness... We stopped reasoning and delve deeper into any piece of information that comes our way, check its veracity, source and historic
@sivirpub @jsaideepak Thank you for writing this thread, and speaking up so candidly. I commend you as a fellow Sanatani for this important thread. Keep writing your thoughts!
@sivirpub @jsaideepak Recent Tamizh Movie 'Jai Bhim' is a classic example how they've now moved on to the 2nd stage after successful completion of 1st Stage. https://x.com/SaketRam10/statu...
@sivirpub @jsaideepak @jsaideepak has nailed it again. Will the society wake up ??
@sivirpub @jsaideepak This is why we need #CasteCensus in independent India where each subcaste will have the freedom to choose their Varna Let's all request @narendramodi ji @AmitShah ji @nsitharaman ji @KirenRijiju ji to open a portal and list all the subcastes, main caste,class, group 1/2
@sivirpub @jsaideepak Hello, a great summary. Well written. Thanks for your efforts. 👍👏
@sivirpub @jsaideepak @threadreaderapp unroll
@sivirpub @jsaideepak You are a very deep and introspective thinker!
@sivirpub @jsaideepak Excellent thread!
@sivirpub @jsaideepak Thank you for your patience and boldness in calling spade a spade. Hope we all understand and unite for the good of our country, ourself
@sivirpub @jsaideepak Well said the truth