Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Coalitions of Hindus of North America–Canada formally introduced its youth advocacy initiative, the CoHNA Youth Action Network (CYAN), by hosting a screening of filmmaker Nikhil Singh’s documentary The Caste Rush at the SANAAQ Library in Montreal on December 6.
The nearly hour-long film explores the challenges faced by Dalit and non-Brahmin communities at various religious locations across India. Singh and his team travelled to different regions of the country, gathering direct accounts and investigating the concerns that have sparked ongoing debates.
The documentary delves into critical questions such as: Are Dalits still restricted from entering certain temples? Can individuals from non-Brahmin backgrounds pursue priesthood? Through insights from locals, experts, and temple authorities, Singh aims to offer a balanced understanding of how caste and religious practices intersect in modern-day India.
After the screening concluded, attendees participated in an engaging virtual question-and-answer session with the filmmaker, who discussed the documentary’s focus on caste-related issues.
Speaking about the event, CYAN Canada Director Abhinav Pandey noted, “For many of us, the film offered a new perspective. Hindu temple customs are much more varied and inclusive than the oversimplified portrayals often found in Western academic circles and Indian media.”
He further added, “It’s increasingly important for young people to recognize this, especially when ‘caste’ is being misused to create distorted narratives about Hindus in Canada.”
