Valmiki caste
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The Valmiki (also Balmiki) is a dalit community of India. They have historically faced exclusion and oppression in Indian society, and are frequently affected by anti-Dalit violence and repression by members of other castes.[1]
Following the example of B. R. Ambedkar, the Valmiki have turned away from Hinduism in order to avoid the persecution associated with Hindu caste practices.[2] Some Valmikis claim that they descend from the author Valmiki who is sometimes credited with having written the Ramayana, although others claim that the currently known version of Ramayana is a distortion of the original work made by Brahmins.[3]
According to the Indian Census of 2001[update], the Valmikis formed 11.2 per cent of the Scheduled Caste population in Punjab[4] and were the second-most populous Scheduled Caste in Delhi, where they were recorded as "Chuhra (Balmiki)".[5] In Punjab, Chuhras who follow Hinduism are known as Valmikis.[6]
In the UK, the Council of Valmiki Sabhas UK claims to represent the Valmiki.[3][7]
References
- ↑ Narender Kumar, Manoj Rai. 2006. Dalit Leadership in Panchayats: A Comparative Study of Four States. Rawat Publications
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- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stephen Jacobs. 2010. Hinduism Today: An Introduction. A&C Black, Jun 24, 2011
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Leslie, J.(2003) Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki. Ashgate publishing. ISBN 0754634302
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
