The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-06-27
DHARNA SITTING.
Among the Brnhmins-A Most Peculiar
Custom.


Custom.
OF all the remarkable things seen in
India, the peculiar habit of ''Dharna"
sitting is the most remarkable.
The Brahmins have nowhere shown
a more astute example of their cunning
than in creating among their country
men, including all the natives of East
India, belief that their persons were
designed by God to be under all circum-
stances inviolable; and that to deprive
them of life or to injure any person, di-
rectly or indirectly, is a crime that adj
mits of no religious explanation. On
this belief is founded the practice of
"Dharna" sitting.
When lIindoo desires to gain point
which he has found to be impossible TO
attain by any other method he will go
TO the door or house of the person
against whom his suit is directed and
there sit down in "Dharna,' carrying
with him either poison or dagger, or
some other means Of committing sui
eide. He threatens to kill himself il
his adversary attempts to modest or
pass nm Wy iiNhoNN 1OihBiNfNtJ
battles and arrests the party in the
house. 1t now becomes question of a
fast, in which, according to the custom
of the country, the one sitting at the
door must also take part. In this way
both will remain until the aggrieved
party secures satisfaction. II the party
in the house should permit the one on
a i l., I,
has been guilty of causing that persons
death indirectly and will, on this ae-
count lose caste forever.
Some years ago Brahmin widow at
Benares had a lawsuit with her brother
n-law which involved a claim of prop
erty and consideration of costs. The
decision, though somewhat favorable
to her, did not satisfy her, and she de-
termined to carry out the remaining
points in dispute by the "Dharna"
method. She placed herself in the Gus
tomary sitting position at the door of
her brother-in-law's residence, and he,
at once becoming apprehensive of her
death, went with her to temple, where
they both made trial of their powers of
fasting. For 10 days they tasted, when
he yielded.
One of the most remarkable instances
of this "Dharna' custom was against
the government of India. A house tax
had been imposed on all the natives
living at Benares. The Hindoos and
Brahmins were startled by the decree.
A netting of the natives was held and
the "Dharna" was resorted to. The
whole Indian population of Benarcs,
rich and poor, determined to sid in
"Dharna" until the tax was removed.
A call was made for all lovers of their
country to join the movement. The re-
suit was that within three days 100000
persons had left their homes, shut up
their shops and began that peculiar
sitting in the streets. Not a fire was
lighted in any Indian house; food was
neither cooked nor eaten. They sat
with folded arms and dropping heads
on the plain surrounding the great holy
city of Benares. At first this was a
very amusing scene for the local British
officials, but it soon turned to one of
perplexity. 1t became evident that a
great amount of suffering might re-
suit from this interruption of agri-
cultural labors at the most critical sea-
son of the year. Nevertheless, the gov
eminent did not feel inclined to yield.
The ringleaders were told that if they
wished to sit in 'Dharna" it was their
own affair, and that they would not be
neddled with. A strong detachment of
troops was placed in the neighborhood.
The 'Dharna" stters began to grow
very hungry. A thunder shower made
them wet and uncomfortable. Com
sultation of the leaders was held. 1t
was finally decided that a deputation of
10000 should march on to Calcutta and
present an address to the goyernor-gen-
eral of India. The rest were ordered to
their homes and labor This resulted
in a repeal of the tax.
If beggars in India desire TO secure
certain privilege of a fee they squat in
"Dharna" in front of rich Indians
house and will remain until their de-
sires are granted. 1t is aeommop thing
in the country towns of India TO see
several men sitting in the streets with
folded arms and dropping heads.-Cin-
cnnati Enquirer.