In a speech prepared for the 1936 annual conference of the Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal of Lahore (which was never delivered-but published as a booklet). Dr. B.R. Ambedkar blamed the unjust behaviour of Hindus towards  members of their own religion of lower varna ... not on individuals, but on the teachings contained in the scriptures. Sri Rama is said to have killed the shudra king Shambuk because the king dared to flout the injunction on shudras prohibiting them from learning the Vedas. The Manusmriti prescribes pouring molten lead in the ears of shudras who listen to the Vedas and to cut their tongues for mouthing the shlokas.

 In his reply to Gandhiji's articles in Harijan which were in favour of the traditional varna system of following one's ancestral calling, Dr. Ambedkar pointed out that it would mean that one would have to take up the profession of one's forefathers, even if the inclination to do so is not present ... The Arya Samaj believed in varna based on worth; but varna based on birth only is in effect a hereditary caste.

 ... These texts are full of conflicts between different varnas especially the Brahmins and Kshatriyas who fought many battles against each other. Severe punishments to shudras and outcastes are prescribed in Hindu scriptures such as the Manusmriti ... The virtues qf compassion and tolerance attributed to Hindus ... is a myth. The Hindus are tolerant-nay, submissive - to aggressive and powerful people. Hence, in spite of all their vocal bravado and 'pride' in their heritage, they (were under) Muslim and British rules for centuries.

Even in the 20th century, some Hindu leaders believe in a varna-cum-caste system and even in untouchability. RSS chief Golwalkar and the late Shankaracharya of Puri had openly supported untouchability. The BJP government erected a statue of Manu ... in front of the Jaipur High Court building in Rajasthan. The VHP had taken out a Kumbha Ratha Yatra all over the country, placing the Manusmriti as the only sacred religious book in their ratha ...

(Source: Bhaurao Khadtale in The Times of India, 19 March, 1999)