Ravana: From Brahmana King to Misunderstood Icon of Dalit Politics

Ravana, the King of Lanka, addressed as a learned Brahmana, is now seen as a hero by the Dalit community. Some so-called identity and anti-Hindu politics have made a Brahmana king a hero for the Dalit Samaj. Why? Because he was killed by Shri Ram, who is worshipped by millions of Hindus as an avatar of Vishnu.  

These so-called Ambedkarites and leftists have always sought to portray Sanatan Dharma as being against Shudras and Dalits. But for every propaganda, they need an iconic figure, and so they cunningly chose three icons: Asura Raja Bali, Lankesh Ravana, and Mahishasura. Ironically, all three were kings and Dwijas (twice-born).  

Now, coming to Ravana—  

Who was Ravana?  

As per the Valmiki Ramayana:  

"The ten-headed and gigantic King Rāvaṇa, a younger (half-) brother of Kubera, son of Viśrava, the lord of ogres, who is endowed with extraordinary energy... To him was born a valiant son, who is a compeer of Rāvaṇa in might, has waited upon his elders, has mastered the Vedas, and is the foremost of all those well-versed in the use of mystic missiles."  

How was Lanka under Ravana?  

As described by Hanuman:  

"Towards the close of the night, he heard the chanting of the Vedas in the dwellings of Brahmana-ogres well-versed in the Vedas, including the six auxiliary sciences—grammar, prosody, etymology, phonetics, astronomy, and the science of rituals—and conducting big sacrifices."  

Ravana was a Rishi-putra who mastered all the Vedas. His kingdom was religious and followed Vedic Dharma. Moreover, Mandodari addressed Ravana as Aryaputra, and in Sanatan Dharma, a wife addresses her husband as Aryaputra. Thus, Ravana was neither Dalit nor Anarya. He was killed for several valid reasons.  

This leftist propaganda has been so successful that West Bengal government school textbooks have referred to Ravana as Anarya. Think about it—aside from the Ramayana, there is hardly any other source about Ravana. Yet, the Valmiki Ramayana describes Ravana as a Rishi-putra and master of all the Vedas.  

Later, they introduced Shambuka into their narrative, but even that was debunked.