Valmiki caste

The Valmiki is a large cluster of castes, and local groups from India. The Valmikis can be classified as a caste or Sampradaya (tradition). In terms of being classified as Sampradaya, the Valmikis trace their tradition to the Hindu sage Valmiki who is traditionally ascribed as the writer of the epic Ramayana.[1]

This article is about the Indian caste community. It is not to be confused with Balmiki sect.

North India

In North India Valmiki are considered Dalit. There they have historically faced exclusion and oppression in society, and are frequently affected by anti-Dalit violence and repression by members of other castes.[2]

According to the 2001 Census of India, the Valmikis formed 11.2 per cent of the Scheduled Caste population in Punjab[3] and were the second-most populous Scheduled Caste in Delhi National Capital Region.[4] [5] The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh showed the Valmiki population, which was classified as a Scheduled Caste, as 1,319,241.[6]

South India

In South India they are considered as Backward castes. According to the Indian Census of 2011, the Valmikis represent 0.7 per cent in Andhra Pradesh and are mainly concentrated in Anantapur, Kurnool and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh.[7][8] They also built a temple of Valmiki in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.[9] In Andhra Pradesh they are known as Boya Valmikis or Valmikis.[10]

Other countries

In the UK, the Council of Valmiki Sabhas UK claims to represent the Valmiki.[11][12]

See also

References
  1. Jacobs, Stephen. Hinduism Today: An Introduction. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 117.
  2. Kumar, Narender; Rai, Manoj (2006). Dalit Leadership in Panchayats: A Comparative Study of Four States. Rawat Publications.
  3. "Punjab: Data Highlights: The Scheduled Castes" (PDF). Census I. 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  4. "Delhi: Data Highlights: The Scheduled Castes" (PDF). Census India. 2001. p. 1. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  5. Leslie, J.(2003) Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki. Ashgate publishing. ISBN 0754634302
  6. "A-10 Individual Scheduled Caste Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix - Uttar Pradesh". Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  7. Caste,Class and Social Articulation in Andhra Pradesh:Mapping Differential Regional Trajectories (PDF), Osmania University
  8. J. Sreenath; S. H. Ahmad (1989). All India anthropometric survey: analysis of data. South Zone. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 37.
  9. Mohammad, Afsar. The Festival of Pirs: Popular Islam and Shared Devotion in South India. Oxford University Press.
  10. Virendra Kumar (1975). Committees and Commissions in India, 1947-73: 1979 (2 v.). Concept Publishing Company. p. 42.
  11. Jacobs, Stephen (2010). Hinduism Today: An Introduction. A & C Black.
  12. "Memorandum submitted by Central Valmiki Sabha International (UK)". United Kingdom Parliament. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
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