If Hindus actually followed their scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita, they’d find it hard to justify the social discrimination against the tribals and the “outcastes”, and wouldn’t need any of the reverse-discrimination “affirmative action” laws that plague their constitution:
“I am alike for all! I know not hate,
I know not favor! What is made is Mine!
But them that worship Me with love, I love;
They are in Me, and I in them!
Nay, Prince!
If one of evil life turn in his thought
Straightly to Me, count him amidst the good;
He hath the highway chosen; he shall grow
Righteous ere long; he shall attain that peace
Which changes not. Thou Prince of India!
Be certain none can perish, trusting Me!
O Prithâ’s Son! whoso will turn to Me,
Though they be born from the very womb of Sin,
Woman or man; sprung of the Vaisya caste
Or lowly disregarded Sudra,—all
Plant foot upon the highest path; how then
The holy Brahmans My Royal Saints?
Ah! ye who into this ill world are come—
Fleeting and false—set your faith fast on Me!
Fix heart and thought on Me! Adore Me! Bring
Offerings to Me! Make Me prostrations! Make
Me your supremest joy! and, undivided,
Unto My rest your spirits shall be guided.”
- Bhagavad-Gita, Ch IX, lines 113-135.
How does one explain the entire Hindu priestly class being based on Brahmin parentage?
In judging other religions one should be careful to criticize the unholy aspects, while recognizing the high-minded Scriptures which should forbid unjust and primitive practices. And one should not forget the caste system of medieval Europe, which remains partially intact to this very day.
It seems that every major civilization goes through a medieval period of caste distinction, probably for practical reasons. But Japan, Europe and even China have rid themselves of it. It is inevitable that India will eventually overcome this. Ghandi and the best representatives of Hindu thought have inveighed strongly against the caste system. We in the USA are still suffering the negative effects of our own caste system - slavery.
I suspect, and hope, that Valmiki is exaggerating the extent of prejudice that remains, but I would never excuse it. It is a blemish on a mostly noble culture. The sacred language of Sanskrit is the mother of most European languages.
Here is an interesting link:
http://www.reformislam.org/
And another:
http://www.yogananda-srf.org/