“Are gods so cheap?” asked Kelu when the Ghar Vapsi thugs offered him Rs10,000. “If you demand more you won’t get even this,” said one of the thugs flexing his muscles. Kelu saw another one twirling his moustache. Kelu could not blame them. It was he who informed them about his desire to convert back into Hinduism. The only condition he posited was: “Get me and all other members of the family scheduled caste certificates.” Kelu’s ancestors belonged to a caste of “untouchable” people. They worked for the higher caste people who possessed everything from the lands to the gods. Kelu’s people were never allowed to earn enough money to buy even the tiniest piece of land. They were not allowed to read the scriptures. If by chance they heard the scriptures being recited, molten lead would be poured into their ears. Their women had to be bare-breasted especially when the men of the higher castes passed by. Kelu’s parents worked in the oil mills in those days of un
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