Changes

==Issues==

==Issues==

===Sati===

===Sati===

Sati is an old practice, it's practice is forbidden by the Hindu scriptures in Kali Yuga, the present age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hinduism.iskcon.org/lifestyle/903.htm |title= Heart of Hinduism Other Social Issues |date= |accessdate=2013-09-13}}</ref> In this practice the widow was immolated alive on her husband's funeral pyre, allthough the practice was made as per the agreement of the widow. However during the islamic invasion of Indian subcontinent, this practice revived, as rapes, abduction were normally carried out by Islamic invaders.<ref>"A Place at the Multicultural Table: The Development of an American Hinduism" by Prema Kurien, p. 171</ref><ref>"The Danger of Gender: Caste, Class and Gender in Contemporary Indian Women's Writing" by Clara Nubile, p.9</ref> To this day, the practice remains illegal in India.

Sati is an old practice, it's practice is forbidden by the Hindu scriptures in Kali Yuga, the present age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hinduism.iskcon.org/lifestyle/903.htm |title= Heart of Hinduism Other Social Issues |date= |accessdate=2013-09-13}}</ref> In this practice the widow was immolated alive on her husband's funeral pyre, allthough the practice was made as per the agreement of the widow. However during the islamic invasion of Indian subcontinent, this practice revived, as rapes, abduction were normally carried out by Islamic invaders.<ref>"Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh" by S. Shashi, p. 115</ref><ref>"The Danger of Gender: Caste, Class and Gender in Contemporary Indian Women's Writing" by Clara Nubile, p.9</ref> To this day, the practice remains illegal in India.

===Caste system===

===Caste system===

Caste system is neither unique to Indian society or limited, it has been prevalent in many parts of world, such as "Al-Akhdam" of Yemen, "Songbun" of North Korea, and others.

Caste system is neither unique to Indian society or limited, it has been prevalent in many parts of world, such as "Al-Akhdam" of Yemen, "Songbun" of North Korea, and others.

It's apart from religion, but closer to practical life. The book ''Manusmriti'' texts contains system "caste by profession" or ''varna'' system. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:

It's apart from religion, but closer to practical life. The book ''Manusmriti'' texts contains ''varnas'' based on profession. Traditionally Hindu society is divided into four castes:

*''Brahmin'' (the highest caste)

*''Brahmin'' (the highest class)

*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)

*''Kshatriya'' (the warrior or ruling class)

*''Vaishya'' (merchants)

*''Vaishya'' (merchants)

*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)

*''Shudra'' (unskilled laborers and servants)

Originally, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career.<ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref> With the start of British colonization, caste system established by british and caste became defined by birth.<ref>de Zwart, Frank (July 2000). "The Logic of Affirmative Action: Caste, Class and Quotas in India". Acta Sociologica 43 (3): 235–249.</ref>

Originally, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career.<ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref> With the start of British colonization, caste system established by British and caste became defined by birth.<ref>de Zwart, Frank (July 2000). "The Logic of Affirmative Action: Caste, Class and Quotas in India". Acta Sociologica 43 (3): 235–249.</ref>

''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes, to this day.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref> Despite this, there has been large amount appreciation towards the caste system, especially because it differed from the racial system such as ''casta'' of Spain, admirers includes the notable personalities such as Annie Besant, P.D. Ouspensky, Pandurang Shastri Athavale and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Friedrich Nietzsche is noted to have said "Close the Bible and open the Manu Smriti."<ref>Friedrich Nietzsche, ''The Will to Power,'' vol. 1.</ref>

''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes, to this day.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref> Despite this, there has been large amount appreciation towards the caste system, especially because it differed from the racial system such as ''casta'' of Spain, admirers includes the notable personalities such as Annie Besant, P.D. Ouspensky, Pandurang Shastri Athavale and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Friedrich Nietzsche is noted to have said "Close the Bible and open the Manu Smriti."<ref>Friedrich Nietzsche, ''The Will to Power,'' vol. 1.</ref>