Scathing attack on ‘Sanatan Dharma’; CPM state secretary Govindan kicks up controversy

Thodupuzha: CPM state secretary MV Govindan has sparked another controversy with his scathing remarks on 'Sanatan Dharma.' During the inauguration of the concluding session of the CPM Idukki district conference in Thodupuzha on Thursday, he ridiculed advocates of 'Sanatan Dharma' for claiming that having Brahmin children is the most sacred and culturally significant thing. He argued that this mindset reflects the nature of their culture.

Govindan clarified that his statement was not referring to the birth of Brahmin children to Brahmin women, but rather to the notion that having Brahmin children is considered the ultimate symbol of culture within the framework of 'Sanatan Dharma.'

He made these remarks in response to Union Minister Suresh Gopi's comments on 'high-caste' people. Govindan further explained, “In the Varna system, those at the top are people like Amit Shah. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, OBCs, and EBCs are not Shudras. The term 'Chandala' refers to those who faced untouchability. It is not the Shudras who experienced this discrimination. The people of these categories, who now make up 85% of those labeled as Hindus, were the ones subjected to untouchability.”

Govindan continued, “These people argue that the Constitution, created under Ambedkar’s leadership, should have been replaced by one based on Manusmriti and the Varna system. To form such a constitution, they would have needed 430 seats from the Indian people, but the people of India did not give them that.”

He added, “They viewed untouchables as dogs. I consciously avoid calling them ‘slaves.’ They had no rights – no right to speak, no right to act. Women were not allowed to cover their breasts, and men were prohibited from having mustaches. After marriage, a young woman had to go to her husband’s master’s house, only to be sent back when he deemed it fit. This is what you call Sanatan Dharma – the dharma of the Brahmins. It goes against the people of this country.”