Nepal, christians teach to hindu how to defeat castes
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Hindu across Nepal are being influenced by Christian practice of equality and giving up practice of untouchability. Untouchability is one of the Hindu rooted practice that humiliates low caste people in the caste system. In this practice, people from higher caste don't touch the low caste people and they don't take food and drinks touched by low caste people. To low caste people is prohibited to enter Hindu temples, and to fetch water from public water-tapes or from ponds.
Hindu priests at various temples say that they are learning equality practices and christians have taught them to give up untouchability practices.
Kanchha Kami of Gujarat, of Baditadi region confirms to AsiaNews: "My parents and elders were discriminated. They were not allowed to enter temples. High caste people didn't touch them. But now the Hindus have learnt from christians to avoid such discriminating practice. I'm from low caste but now allowed to work as priest of the temple. High caste people visit this temple and I put tika to them and they receive blessing from me."
Ramesh Koli, a local Dalit (low caste) said: "The Christians have gave us good lesson of practicing equality. This helps to create harmony and solidarity among the people. When high-caste Hindu respect and avoid discrimination to low caste people, we low caste people are happy".
Man Bahadur Bista, a high caste receiving blessing from low caste priest at Banarasi temple said: "We are happy to receive blessing from the priest although the priest belongs to the low caste. If we fail to respect low caste people, they are learning Christian cultures and faiths and may convert to Christianity. So, the hindu leaders of Nepal have decided to give up ill Hindu traditional practices."
Harish Bista, another high caste hindu said: "We are practicing equality and avoiding discrimination in religion. The Christianity is teaching us many religious values including non-discrimination and equal respect".
.png)
