Thiruvananthapuram, February 18 Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday claimed that there were no castes within the Hindu religion, which was a higher-level "varna" itself, and that the British introduced the concept of caste when they conducted the first census in India.
Arlekar made this statement while addressing the audience after inaugurating the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Puthumana Thanthra Vidyalayam here.
"Hinduism has never had 'castes'. It was always a higher-level social group within a higher-level varna system. When the British people conducted the first census in this country, they introduced the concept of caste. Otherwise, there would have been no caste," the Governor argued.
He further stated, "Now, it is our responsibility to come together. If we are not united, this country will not exist."
The Governor also spoke about the Puthumana Thanthra Vidyalayam, stating that it provides training to everyone, regardless of their caste.
He said that such training is essential, but it is more important to consider the entire Hindu community or society as "one caste".
Arlekar further said that while the Constitution states that there should be no discrimination based on caste, it still exists in society.
In his speech, the Governor recalled the founding vision of the institution and noted that on November 12, 2003, "Puthumana Maheswaran Namboothiri proclaimed Tantra Vidya, reflecting the reformist spirit of the historic Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 issued by Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, which opened temple doors to people of all castes," a Lok Bhavan post on Facebook said.