Here is the complete truth behind Yogi Adityanath’s statement identifying Hanumanji’s jati (caste)

Have you heard Mahant Shri Yogi Adityanath’s speech from Rajasthan yesterday?

Did Yogi really state Hanuman Ji’s jati (caste)??

In fact, yesterday Yogi Ji was campaigning for the BJP in a vanvasi (forest-dwelling / tribal) majority constituency in Rajasthan. And I have listened to Yogi Ji’s speech repeatedly; its excerpt runs thus:

"Hanuman Ji is such a lokdevata (folk deity) who is himself a vanvasi, a girivasi (mountain-dweller), a dalit (oppressed), a vanchit (deprived). Taking everyone along, Bajrangbali works to unite everyone from north to south and from east to west."

- Yogi Adityanath 

Where, then, is Hanuman Ji’s jati mentioned in this??

All that is implied is whose devata Hanuman Ji is—of the vanvasis, of the girivasis, of the dalits, the shoshit (exploited), and the deprived; he is entirely their own deity.

The fundamental question remains: who is a vanvasi? Who is a girivasi? Who is dalit, exploited, and deprived?

A vanvasi or adivasi is one who lives in the forest, who dwells in the jungle, who relies on roots, tubers, fruits, flowers, and meat for sustenance. In Rajasthan, around more than 100 tribes are listed in the vanvasi or adivasi schedule. They are granted special exemptions (benefits) in government jobs and cut-off lists. There is a special quota for candidates from these tribes in assembly elections. Candidates belonging to the Mochi, Dholi, Nat, Nayak, Bawari, and Meena tribes are contesting elections across the BJP, Congress, and as independents.

The constitutionally designated term is ST (Scheduled Tribe). Who is a girivasi? Those residing in the hills, mountains, and plateaus are girivasis.

Now, who is dalit, exploited, and deprived? Who is a dalit?

The meaning of dalit is one who is suppressed; one who is crushed is dalit. And an oppressed, crushed class can exist within any jati of society. The poor among Brahmins, Banias, Kshatriyas, Jats, Gurjars, and Meenas can also be oppressed and crushed by other sections of society.

Who is deprived?

The meaning of deprived is one who lacks the basic amenities of life; that person is deprived. Now where is it written that only people belonging to the SC/ST categories are deprived of the basic amenities of life?

Are the poor—Brahmin, Bania, Kshatriya, Meena, Jat, Gurjar—not deprived? Do all Brahmins, Banias, Kshatriyas, Jats, Gurjars, and Meenas possess the basic amenities of life? Are all Brahmins, Jats, Banias, Meenas, Kshatriyas, and Gurjars wealthy? Is there no one poor among Brahmins, Jats, Banias, Meenas, Kshatriyas, and Gurjars?

Who is exploited?

The meaning of exploited is one who is a victim of any form of exploitation; that person is exploited. Are Jats, Gurjars, Meenas, Brahmins, Banias, and Kshatriyas in our society not victims of exploitation? Are all Jats, Gurjars, Meenas, Brahmins, Banias, and Kshatriyas strongmen of muscle and money?

Similarly, in the Ramayana, Sugriva was deprived of his rightful kingdom by Vali, and he lived wandering from pillar to post through forest after forest. Would Sugriva not be called deprived? And would his companion Hanuman Ji not be called deprived? Sugriva was exploited by Vali: Vali abducted his wife, plundered his kingdom, and drove him out with blows. If Sugriva, who was thus exploited by Vali, is termed dalit, what objection can there be? And Hanuman Ji was his steadfast helper at every single step.

Where, then, did the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, deliver a false message by saying that Hanuman Ji is himself a vanvasi, dalit, and deprived? Hanuman Ji himself endured those difficult circumstances alongside Sugriva; therefore, he understands intimately the agony of the dalits, the exploited, the deprived, and the vanvasis, and always comes to their aid. Even today, regardless of jati, the moment any trouble arises, people turn first to present themselves before Hanuman Ji. Anyone feeling the slightest fear casts it away merely by remembering the Hanuman Chalisa. That is precisely why it is said of Hanuman Ji: "When no one comes, Hanuman arrives; in the hour of crisis, he comes to our aid."

 - Shri Ritesh Pragyansh, the author is a keen analyst of Rajasthan politics