Respected Sir,

Nowhere in Vedic Literature it is stated that one is born Brahmin, or Kshatriya, or Vheshya, or Shudra or Dalit. Education and profession were the grounds for deciding someone’s caste.

Conversion from lower caste to higher one to avoid the evils of discrimination is widely seen in India. But, to change ones religion or caste for such reasons is wrong. Conversion is no solution for the problem of discrimination rather it means your defeat in the war of rights. One must fight back against those who discriminate on the basis of caste and religion rather being a part of them by changing religion. One must not give up in his war of rights, no matter what.

I would urge my Dalit and Shudra (based on current definition) friends to fight for their rightful place in Hindu Society based on their education and profession and not to give up to the dictates of so called higher castes.

Many of today’s dalits and shudras are engineers, doctors, teachers, military man and businessman and as per Vedic definition they belong to higher caste. At the same time many of so-called higher caste Brahmins are not Brahmins as they are cleaning toilet in U.K., U.S.A. or serving as a manual laborer. They are Shudra as per Vedic definition.

I do understand that for a common man this subject of conversion is very important to get human treatment, to remove the class struggle, to get mental strength, to get outside support, to enjoy sympathy, equality and liberty, economic progress and social changes, political safeguards, for getting organized, for becoming strong, for securing equality, for getting liberty etc.

Discrimination based on caste, creed, colour, gender or ethnic origin, ignorance and prejudice must be replaced by tolerance and understanding. Unfortunately, conversion to different religion does not remove caste. The Dalits are NOT better off after conversion. They are treated as badly as before - if not worse - now by the Caste-Christians!

So let us reclaim our honor and fight for our rightful place in Hindu Society/ Culture based on education and profession.

I know I am not that wise but I stick to my caste, my forefather, my father, my society and my people.

Please write back if still not clear to you.

Jai Valmiki ! Har Har Valmiki !!

Regards,