Guruji, even today in our country, there is a lot of caste discrimination. Is this because of our corrupt politicians, or according to our shastras?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, not according to the shastras. You will see that apart from the two prominent rishis (sages), Bharadwaj and Vashishtha, most of the other rishis were born in lower caste. From among the dalits is Ved Vyas; Valmiki was a dalit. So, all those great sages whose lineage you identify yourself with, they are also from different castes – someone is Kshatriya (warrior), someone is Kumhaar (potter).
Right here in Maharashtra, many of the devotees were not from the upper caste, but from all different castes.
When we need a good lawyer, we do not inquire about their caste. When a doctor is needed, we do not look at their caste. When we have to do business, we do not ask what their caste is. We do business with a good businessman. If the project is good, we join with them. Only when we have to vote, we think whether that person belongs to our caste or not. When an electoral ticket has to be given, we think which caste should be given the ticket in this area. Don't do this!
Until caste is taken out of politics, caste-based divide in this country will not go. Politics is holding on to casteism. It should be removed from politics.