When asked as to why Dr. Marc Carboricau provoked hfs listeners at t le round table discus sion on "Social Satisfaction among South Asian Muslims," held recently at ihc Alliance I rancaise, he replied, "My talk was based on the findings of the caste system si 111 prevalent among Muslims who live in Nepal, What I have said, was reported to me by the people themselves, like the fakirs', barbers, and butchers, who considered themselves as Inferior to the rest of the population in Nepal, where I carried on my research."
Dr. Carboricau continuixl in bls defence of his
I have lectured on the sonic subject. ' he continued, at the Oxford Institute of Islamic Studies, which is manned by South Asian Muslims. They l<» were aware of social stratlfi cal ton among the Muslims, the world over. There was, for instance. an Individual there too who strongly objected to my views In public. However. when I met him In private, he admitted that I was correct, after all, and he quoted an anecdote in which Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (founder of the Aligarh University ). once said that he did not establish the Aligarh University for the 'julahs' (weavers!.'' he added.
ruffling of the sensibilities of the experts In a country which is a predominantly Muslim one, " I have recorded marriage* that were there be tween different socio economic strains, bui they remained 99 per cent only. There are no doubt, occasion -J hen people of d i1 rent social stand
Ings have partaken meals together. Bu' segregations hav prevailed."
The Director ol Research at CNRS who is rated as a sp< cialtst In the Sub Continent, continued. Tlie segregation that I found in Nepal was not necessarily based on religious beliefs There are no doubt, differences in the ru ra! areas and the capi tai Kathmandu. Stud ying as Social Anthr opologlsts, years bar k, my empirical research results, which I gathered as a teacher in Nepal, are accu-
"As a teacher of French in Nepal In '63, the professor Insisted, I had good relationship with the inhabitants of Ihc rural areas of Nepal, (where 1 taught for seven years) and they told me about their own lifestyle then* selves. I did not badger them with any questions. 1 was simply a reservoir of confidences," the professor added.
"1 wanted to do some 'village study' which was In vogue at that time, and I happened to be In touch with, people of the lower strata of life such as the Muslim barbers, weavers and bangle sellers, whom I referred lo in my talk," Dr. Carboricau continued, offering explanations about how he had conic to his conclusions In "Social Stratification among South Aslan Muslims."
Giving his impresston of Bangladesh
He added "I am only too aware of the fact that Islam, as propounded by the Holy Koran, and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed. Is against the caste system. Believe me, I know that Islam preaches equality of mankind, as perhaps no other current religion of the world docs. I admit that the upper-class of individuals, both in the capital ana rural areas of Nepal, do not object to the fact that people such as barbers and weavers, whom 1 emphasised in mv talk, do not always object lo giving their daughters in marriage to people tn different social stratas. If they happen to be educated and refined.'
The professor continued tn his explanation for stirring up a furore at the round-table con-fercnce. mentioned earlier, "1 knew that the topic of the discussion was a controversial one. 1 presented my research piece with a purpose : It was a way lo begin a lively discussion and make the listeners and experts,’ present at the round-table, to express their owr views and bring forth factual details lo back their questions and oppos Ing views.”
He further emphasised." I knew that I would antagonise my listeners, but 1 have enough ex pcrlcnce of contact wllh South Aslan Muslims, as 1 have lived for six years al New Delhi. Lucknow, Hydrabad, Almora (North India). Nepal and have visited Algeria twice 1 have also spent time In Turkey and E^pt "
Dr. Carborleau continued In the same vain." The questions flung at me were the usual questions, which a Muslim audience comes up with. I know that the experts of Islam, the world over, arc ready to discuss the topic, I believe that the Socio-Anthropologist* at the discussion, did get my points, which I gathered from my experience. I find that the people do object to my talks tn public, although In private they confide Bhat the Muslim society is still a stratified one '
during his 12-days stay, the expert on Social Anthropology of Islam In the Sub-Continent, said, "As I do not speak Bangla, 1 could only communicate with the local people except the intellectuals of the Dhaka University. I have met some of the people who were at the seminar that I presided over, who asked me pertinent questions. To me. Bangladesh, looks familiar to what I saw in North India, but as a professor of Islamic studies. I fee! that people are rather reluctant to speak about Islam, although they did so at the discussion at Alliance Francaisc. I do not pretend that in western societies the problems that I talked about are different"
In his conclusion, Dr. Carboricau added. "1 do not bclteve in the theory thal ihe reason for conversion to Islam, in ihc Subcontinent, was to gain a better social status.
The majority of the converts in South Asia came from the middle-class strata of society and not from the untouchables . Those who were attracted lo Islam were people who had economic dealings wllh the Muslim rulers as farm ers or as wcIFto-do artisans.
The professor found time to visit the Laibagli Fori, and to deliver five lectures which Included one at Chittagong and others at the Departments of Sociology. Islamic History and Culture, and the Astatic Society of Bangladesh.
The knowledgeable and vociferous participants at the round-table conference Included Dr. Parveen Hassan. Terese Blanche, a French Socio Anthropologist, Dr Md. Ibrahim, Dr. A. K. Arefccn, Dr K M. Mohsin, Dr. Mahboob Ahmed and Sadek Khan. They had numerous pertinent questions for the visiting professor, and the dis cusston was a fruitful one for anyone inclined towards Social Anthropology.