The Valmiki Community

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The Valmiki Community
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• Formerly the chuhras sweepers
• Take name from Valmiki the author of the Hindu
  epic Ramayana
• Similar fate to that of the Ravidasis
• Also Punjabi community
• Adamant that Guru Valmiki was also of the chuhra
  zat
• Ramayana used during worship Coventry has GGS
  alongside Ramayana issue of identity
• Sikh connection through Bhai Jaita (also Bhai
  Rangreta)
• M10 Rangretia Guru Ke Beti

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The mass conversion of chuhras to the Sikh faith
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• Although mass conversion renamed mazhabis
• Stigma of untouchability faeces etc
• Valmiki/Balmiki
• Very little factual evidence on Valmiki, his
  followers believe he was indeed the author of the
  Ramayana and also gave refuge to Sita with her
  sons Luv and Kush
• An indirect reference to Valmiki, is cited in the
  Guru Granth Sahib via a verse by Ravidas, in
  which he refers to the caste of Valmiki
• Why lookest thou not at Balmik?
  
  From what a low
  caste, what a high rank obtained he? Sublime is
  the Lords devotional service (AG 1124)
• Valmikis works not in GGS

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• Places of worship sabhas, not Gurdwaras since
  no GGS
• Majority emphasize that neither Sikhs or Hindus
  keshdharis raise issues in terms of identity
• Art Valmiki and scenes from Ramayana
• Focus is Valmiki, no Sikh connection at all
• Implications of Coventry Valmiki Sabha
• Not all chuhras are Valmikis, large numbers
  converted to Christianity and Buddhism (under Dr
  Ambedkar)
• Valmiki metaphysics quite different to Sikh
  philosophy again issues of identity
• No Sikh celebrations (Coventry). Diwali (return
  of Valmikis characters Rama and Sita)

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• My research raised interesting debate about the
  identity of the Valmikis are they Hindu, Sikh,
  neither, or both?
• Who says that Valmikis are different from
  Hindus and Sikhs? We would like to know. We see
  ourselves as Valmikis. Hindu and Sikh are
  extension (sic) to our perception as Valmikis.
  This is the reason why we find harmony amongst
  the members of our community irrespective of
  their religious beliefs.
• Panel of informants Coventry Valmiki Sabha