The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

Appendix F
Caste
FAQ on Caste
What is the situation regarding the Caste system in Hindu society Was such
a system endorsed by the ancient Vedics in any of the scriptures Did
the Hindu scriptures endorse Untouchability
The short answer is that such a system was not endorsed by the ancient scriptures
and that the Hindu scriptures certainly never endorsed Untouchability. It is therefore
a facile assumption which even significant proportions of Hindus make that the
Hindu belief system sanctions all of the behavior patterns that occur under the
rubric of the term ‘Caste’. In reality it is safe to say that the resulting exploitation of
economically disadvantaged sections of society by their fellow human beings has
no sanction in any of the scriptures of the Sanatana Dharma. People sometimes
behave contrary to the tenets of the faith they profess. This occurs in every society
of the world. The incidence of such behavior relative to the population is below that
of most other countries which report incidences of sectarian and ethnic violence
163