Oh boy! Where to begin? The whole week, my mind was going in circles, thinking about how to begin writing yet another controversial topic and the next chapter of a series I started long ago, decoding the social fabric of India, which has deep roots in religion and the caste system. I recommend you go back and read those articles for a better understanding of this one.
I am a spiritual girl, so I don’t write or do anything unless my inner compass points me in that direction. And yes, I also need to feel that it aligns with universal energy. Over the last two weeks, the universal energy felt like one of taking a small break, relaxing, and starting fresh. So, my last two articles circled around new year theme. Do check if you haven't read them yet!
Hey, looks like the energy has shifted again with the statement made by S. N. Subrahmanyan, the chairperson of L&T? Let me quote his exact words for you: “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Go to the office and start working.” He further added, “Honestly, I am sorry that I am not able to make you work on Sundays. I will be happier if I can make you work on Sundays because I work on Sundays too.” I’m not going to dissect that comment—others on the internet have done that job well. However, I do wonder what advice Sir Subrahmanyan would give to singles like me. I hope all is well in Sir’s married life. Jokes apart, this is serious.
The Deeper Problem: Casteism in Corporate India
After Narayana Murthy Sir and Bhavish Aggarwal, yet another Indian corporate leader is commenting on work hours and leaves. Don't you see the pattern here? I’ve already written an article about how this mindset is deeply ingrained in the caste system and the superiority complex of Brahminism, who historically viewed others as slaves. What a coincidence—Subrahmanyan is also a Brahmin name. Oops! Anyway, check out my detailed article to understand the deeper issue.
Although Sir Subrahmanyan’s PR team tried to spin his statement as being about “nation-building,” that’s far from the truth. L&T took the contract for the Ram Mandir, and we all know what happened to it after the very first rainy season. Nation-building requires higher commitment, including building infrastructure that lasts for decades—even temples. And yes, it also means making employees’ lives stress-free and building their life's. Nation building means building people too! Do Indian corporate leaders understand the concept of employee welfare and benefits?
Religious Hatred in India: A Caste Issue?
For a long time, I’ve wanted to discuss Islam and Christianity, and I think now is the perfect time. We are often told that Indian Muslims are “Babar ki aulad” or outsiders. First of all, if they are outsiders, so are the Brahmins, Jains, and Zoroastrians. What about the Jews who are staying in India by changing their original identity? What about Kurdish and Yazidis who are also staying in India and like Jews they also change their identity. And no these are not Islamic groups. So why target only Muslims? Religious identity in India is far more complex than how it is presented by the leaders. And as I mentioned in previous article Brahminism to survive need to bully some or the other group of people and now that group is Muslims. However, are we really hating Muslims or Christians or the story is different than how its looks? Let's find out!
The majority of Indian Muslims or any other converted religious group who left Brahminism which is todays Hinduism were originally untouchables or Dalits. How do we know? It’s easy to verify in this era of information and data. Here’s one example: during Taimur Lang’s conquest, a group of untouchables approached him near the Jumba fort (close to Delhi) and requested to join his army. When asked why, they explained how the upper castes dehumanized them. That’s why they converted and joined his army. It was not a forceful conversion! This incident is recorded in his autobiography, “I Am Taimur.”
Why Muslims and Christians are devotees of Hindu Deities?
In Maharashtra, during the Pandharpur wari (a foot rally to Pandharpur by devotees of Vitthala), many Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists participate. Why? As I mentioned earlier, they are converted Dalits who still feel emotionally connected to these deities.
Something truly fascinating caught my attention while traveling across the country. In Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple, every devotee is required to circumambulate the Sufi Vavar mosque. Sufi Vavar, a Muslim devotee of Lord Ayyappa, is deeply revered. Amazing, isn’t it? This, too, may be tied to the same reasons I’ve outlined above.
The story of conversion to Christianity is no different. Those denied basic human rights and treated unfairly converted to other religions. So, when we hate Indian Muslims and Christians, are we hating our own people? Are the atrocities against untouchables continuing under the guise of targeting Muslims and Christians? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves. You don't want people to convert into any other religion then the solution is simple. Solve their problems! It’s time to end religious hatred. It’s time to end casteism—not just in India’s social fabric but also in our minds. To some this works in their favor so why would they want to change it? To me its sickness, so don’t mind if I criticize it!
Selective Activism paradox in India
I’ve seen many Indians champion causes like feminism and participate in hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter. But these voices often fall silent when it comes to the struggles of untouchables in India. Worse, some people even make ignorant remarks, revealing their casteist mindset.
Spiritually speaking, we’ve moved from the age of Pisces to the age of Aquarius—an energy of change that pushes us to rethink how we live, work, and connect. Though historians may debate this, the energy shift is palpable. When Mr. Narayana Murthy first commented on 70-hour work weeks; the response was muted. Bhavish Aggarwal remark about employees not needing leaves didn’t create much of a surge either. But now, with Mr. Subrahmanyan’s statement about working Sundays, even celebrities are joining the conversation.
Change is the only constant. Let’s see how far India goes in addressing justice and historic inequalities. One thing is certain: if you view this issue only through the lens of work hours and employee benefits, you’re scratching the surface. The root causes need to be addressed; otherwise, the problem will never be solved.
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