Pain is Mightier than Sword
Arpan Basu Chowdhury
The Ramnami community of Chhattisgarh, India, is a celebrated example of a non-violent movement against the curse of caste discrimination, which was predominant in pre-independent India and continues to be practiced today. The Ramnami Samaj of Chhattisgarh is a socially excluded group. They responded to this exclusion through their non-violent movement. Ironically, the dominating power of caste discrimination, which once deprived them of their right to religion, helped them emerge as pioneers of a unique genre of revolt. They inscribed the name of Lord Ram on their entire bodies and found an alternative way of worship. Forbidden from entering temples, they were victims of untouchability, treated only as untouchables rather than as human beings. This project is dedicated to their ascetic life, non-violent approach, and commitment to peace. They have been suffering from poverty for generations, as social exclusion separated them from the general flow of education and trades. But the beauty of their chanting (the verses of «Ramcharitmanas»), their calm minds, and their non-violent discourse provide relief from the hardships caused by exclusion and poverty.
