Hindu justice - 3

...If any untouchable transgressed the dharma then he was imply killed while a Shudra was only mutilated. Most probably the pious lawmakers thought that the mutilation was mild so they allotted it to Shudras and a severer punishment of death to untouchables. The Varna difference had to be maintained.

If a man from higher Varna killed a Shudra then he was required to perform penance for six months or give ten cows and a bull to a Brahman. It is strange that a man – no, no a Shudra- is killed and one unrelated Brahman benefited; grand sense of justice! It was a fine way to transfer the wealth in favor of the pious honest and unselfish people. This punishment has not even an iota of justice in any way; whichever way one might look at it. It is another example of how the Brahmanas devised ways to enrich themselves. And the same kind of punishment was prescribed for killing a dog, a cat, an owl or a crow - so died a dog - so died a Shudra. The equivalent of life of a Shudra was life of a dog; most probably a street dog. A dog walking on its four legs; wagging its tail to please; hoping to get some food; scavenging for leftovers in garbage was equivalent to Shudra who was also supposed to depend on the leftovers of his master and serve him with all the humility and wag the tail likewise. The relations between a Shudra and his master were supposed to be like the relation between a dog and its owner. The lot of untouchables had to be worse.

Further a Shudra could not give evidence in a suit involving higher Varnas. It was so because of his lower status he could not be party to judge a high Varna man. A Shudra was to be treated in insulting terms in the court if he was allowed to give evidence. The born insulted was treated accordingly; great heritage!

If a Shudra defamed a Brahman then he had to suffer corporal punishment while others got away with a fine only. If he offended twice born then his offending part was to be cut off leaving behind a mutilated Shudra. If he grossly insulted a twice born then his tongue was to be cut off. If he contemptuously mentioned the jati of twice born then a ten inch long red hot iron rod was to be shoved in his mouth. If he arrogantly taught a Brahman his duties then hot was oil was required to be poured into his mouth. If he falsely claimed performance of rites to sanctify his body then he was to be fined two hundred coins. If he assaulted a twice born then his offending limb was to be cut off. In case he raised his hand or a stick to beat higher Varnas then his hand was to be cut off. It was a righteous religion. Was it not? If he kicked them then his foot was to be cut off. Mutilation was a very normal punishment in his case. And none could hurt the single strand of hair of a Brahman. If a Shudra tried to sit with them on the same seat with high Varnas then he was to be branded on the hips and his buttocks were to be gushed. The offending parts here were buttocks. If out of arrogance he spit on a high caste then his lips were to be cut off. Thus there were different ways devised to keep the Shudra with in his dharmically imposed limits and righteous place. As far as Shudras were concerned, it was a maiming system of mutilating justice. This justice appears to be a vicious animal controlled by the lawmakers Brahmanas who unleashed it on Shudra and untouchables whenever the occasion required...