Ambedkar-Philosophy of Hinduism

Thuggee viewpoint
AMBEDKAR'S PHILOSOPHY OF HINDUISM AND CONTEMPORARY CRITIQUES
PROF. M. M. NINAN
Thuggee trace their origin to the battle of Kali against Raktabija; however, their foundation myth departs from
Brahminical versions of the Puranas. Thuggee consider themselves to be children of Kali, created out of her sweat.
This is similar to the way Kali was created from aggression and willingness to fight for Durga.
According to some sources, especially old colonial sources, Thuggee believe they have a positive role, saving
humans' lives. Without Thuggee's sacred service, Kali might destroy all the human kind:
• "It is God who kills, but Bhowanee has name for it."
• "God is all in all, for good and evil."
• "God has appointed blood for her (Bhowanee) food, saying 'khoon tu kao', feed thou upon blood. In
my opinion it is very bad, but what she can do, being ordered to subsist upon blood!"
• "Bhowanee is happy and more so in proportion to the blood that is shed."
In contrast, Dash states that they did not have a religious motive to kill and that the colonial sources were wrong
and prejudiced in that respect.
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http://www.victoriangothic.org/ameer-ali-is-preparing-to-strangle-you/
"I was eagerly waiting the signal; I tightly grasped the fatal handkerchief, and my first victim was within a foot of me!
I went behind him as being preferable to one side, and observed one of the other Thugs do the same to a servant.
The sahoukar moved a step or two towards the road—I instinctively followed him; I scarcely felt that I stirred, so
intensely was I observing him. “Jey Kalee!” shouted my father: it was the signal, and I obeyed it!
As quick as thought the cloth was round his neck; I seemed endued with superhuman strength. I wrenched his neck
round—he struggled convulsively for an instant, and fell. I did not quit my hold, I knelt down on him, and strained
the cloth till my hand ached; but he moved not—he was dead! I quitted my hold, and started to my feet. I was mad
with excitement! My blood boiled, and I felt as though I could have strangled a hundred others, so easy, so simple
had the reality been. One turn of my wrists had placed me on equality with those who had followed the profession
for years,—I had taken the first place in the enterprise, for I had killed the principal victim! I should receive the
praise of the whole band, many of whom I was confident had looked on me as only a child.
I was roused from my reverie by my father.
“You have done well,” he said"
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It was not until the British became rulers of the country that an attempt was made to suppress the Thugs. By
1835, 382 Thugs were hanged and 986 were transported or imprisoned for life. Even as late as 1879 the
number of registered Thugs was 344 and the Thugee and the Dacoity department of the Government of India
continued to exist until 1904 when its place was taken by the Central Criminal Intelligence Department. While it
is not possible for the criminal tribes to live by organized bodies of criminals, crime continues to be their main
occupation.
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