“No one is born a Brahmin, they only get initiated into the order through their deeds,” senior counsel G. Karthikeyan argued before the Madras High Court on Thursday, while disputing the stand taken by Ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin, P.K. Sekarbabu and DMK MP A. Raja that Sanatana Dharma was being opposed by many because it divides people on the basis of caste assigned by birth.
Appearing before Justice Anita Sumanth, who is seized of writ of quo warranto petitions filed against the three DMK leaders, he said Sanatana Dharma was the most tolerant and inclusive religious principle in the world. No ancient scripture, he said, related to it speaks about the numerous castes that are in practice today but for referring to four basic Varnas.
“Neither Lord Rama, nor Lord Krishna was a Brahmin. Vishwamitra was a Kshatriya, but he wanted to become a Brahmin. He involved himself in deep penance and became a Brahmarishi. So, it is not by birth. If it is by birth, there won’t be any Alwars and Nayanmars. One becomes what he wants to become by obtaining the qualifications. That is what the Bhagavad Gita says,” the counsel argued.
