Meher Baba on the Caste System – as absurd as it is tyrannous

Meher Baba strongly condemned the caste system, ritualism, and the religious authority of the Brahmin priest class, viewing them as severe barriers to genuine spiritual progress. Because he emphasized the internal awakening of love over external traditions, he actively disrupted caste restrictions within his ashrams and openly criticized institutionalized priesthoods.

His views on the Brahmin priest caste and the broader caste system can be broken down into three major areas:

1. Rejection of the Caste System

Meher Baba explicitly rejected the concept of caste, calling it both absurd and oppressive. When a few of his adult Brahmin followers expressed distress over his instruction for Brahmin boys and lower-caste ("Untouchable") boys to sit together at his school, Baba rebuked them sternly, stating:

"I have put on this body with a view to destroying the whole fabric of the [caste system], and destroy it I will, despite the opposition of the bigoted Brahmins. The caste system is as absurd as it is tyrannous. It has nothing to do with religion in the true sense of the word."  

Source p. 36

To actively break down these barriers, he required his high-caste Hindu disciples (mandali) to do tasks traditionally reserved for lower castes, such as cleaning latrines and drawing water from the same wells as the Mahars, a practice completely forbidden by orthodox traditions at the time.

2. Criticism of the Priesthood and "Hired Prayers"

Baba did not limit his criticisms to Hindu priests; he criticized professional religious figures across all major traditions—including Christian priests, Zoroastrian dasturs, and Muslim mullas. He viewed the priest class as an impediment to societal and spiritual freedom, explaining that mechanical rituals and hired prayers hold no spiritual weight:

• On Mechanical Rituals: He once noted that the world is filled with "useless babbling" performed in the name of prayer. He stated that for ages, priests have been muttering hired prayers for payment without gaining the slightest spiritual advantage, because the practices lack sincerity.
• On Selfishness: He described the rituals and ceremonies enforced by priests as the "dry husk of the corn," arguing that out of selfishness, priests across all religions create and propagate rigid customs that ultimately cripple true religion.
• On Political/Social Influence: In a discussion about societal independence, he went so far as to forcefully emphasize: "The priest class proves to be an impediment in everything. If you gain independence, do this first: arrest all the purohits, dastoors and mullas... deal with them firmly." 

3. Dealing with Individuals Compassionately

Despite his fierce opposition to the institution of the priesthood and the structure of the caste system, Meher Baba interacted with individual Brahmins with deep patience. He acknowledged that social conditioning runs deep, noting that when dealing with people from different backgrounds—whether a Brahmin or an Untouchable—he adjusted his approach to meet their specific temperaments, slowly helping them rise above their prejudices.

Ultimately, Meher Baba maintained that God does not look at caste or creed, but only at the purity, love, and selflessness within a person's heart.