From Tamil daily Thina Thanthi, 2 August 2004
Social revolutionaries Periyar and Vinoba Bhave met on 18 January 1957. Thina Thanthi reported that Periyar spoke to the paper's reporter about some of the issues that were discussed at the meeting. The paper reproduced the conversation between the two leaders.
"Bhave: I heard that you are fully engaged in the struggle to abolish caste system.
Periyar: I have taken up the abolition of caste system as my first priority. I believe that if the system is abolished people would overcome ignorance and they would lead a disciplined life.
Bhave: I admit that caste system should be abolished. But, I cannot endorse your acts of breaking the idols of our Gods and burning of our Epics.
Periyar: The Gods and Epics are the root cause of the system. That's why, I am targeting them. If we get rid of the Gods and Epics, then the caste system that they created will automatically disappear.
Bhave: There are good things and bad things in Epics. We have to take the good and leave out the bad..."
Periyar: How many people can do it? If you mix poison and sugar and give it, how many people can eat the sugar alone
No comments:
Post a Comment