The Programmes of Arjak Sangh

The programmes of Arjak Sangh are meant to translate the basic principles of the Arjak Sangh into practice. Every member and worker of the Arjak Sangh must act on them in order to destroy the inequality based Brahminist culture and replace it with a humanist culture based on equality. Arjak Sangh wants a varna-less and classless society in which all human beings treat others as equal in practise.

1. Boycott of Brahmin Priests:

The arjaks must reject all beliefs and practises, which encourage social inequality and economic exploitation. The doctrines of rebirth and fatalism are rejected as false and harmful. Therefore, there is no need of   the services of Brahmin priests at the time of marriage and death. Marriage has nothing to do with alleged previous or future lives. It is a contract between woman and man to live together. Similarly, the rituals after death, presided by Brahmin priests, are based on the doctrine of rebirth and are, therefore, meaningless. The arjaks must reject all Brahmin rituals like religious discourses, pilgrimage etc, which are based on the false doctrine of rebirth. The arjaks must also discard 'janeu' (the sacred thread), which is not to be treated as a sign of superiority but as a symbol of slavery. The Arjak Sangh also opposes the practice of touching of feet of Brahmins and others as a form of greeting.

Introduction to Arjak Sangh

Arjak Sangh, a humanist, rationalist organisation, was founded by Mahamana Ramswaroop Verma. The organization emphasizes social equality and is strongly opposed to Brahminism. Mahamana Ramswaroop Verma (1923-1998) was born on August 22, 1923 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He denied the existence of god and soul. He was strongly opposed to the doctrine of rebirth and fatalism. Mahamana Ramswaroop Verma campaigned tirelessly against Brahminism and untouchability.

Biography:

Mahamana Ramswaroop Verma came from an agriculturist family. He did his M.A. (Hindi) from Allahabad University in 1949 and Law Graduation from Agra University. In both the examinations he secured first position in the first class in the University. He qualified in the written examination of the Indian Administrative Services, but did not appear in the interview. He was of the view that an administrator has to work within limitations. He wanted to work for social change as a free citizen. He came in contact of prominent Indian democratic socialist leaders of his time such as Acharya Narendra Dev and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia. Consequently, he became a member of the Socialist Party. Several times he was elected to the U.P. Assembly. In 1967, he was for some time Finance Minister of Uttar Pradesh in the government headed by Charan Singh, who later became the prime minister of India.