It is complicated and painful. I won't say anybody is guilty. The only people guilty here would be the champions of Brahmanism which is rampant. From my research, modern-day Hinduism is all about Brahmanism.

Very few remains of what is actually Pre-Aryan or Dravidian or Shudra or Avarna. Dravida became an inferior race (South Indians which according to Brahmanism are Shudras and Avarnas). Shudras according to Vedas and Puranas are literally slaves to serve the Upper caste especially Brahmins. Avarna is the untouchables that are outside the Veda-Purana caste system. They have been called Bahujans by Budha because 65-70% of Indians belong to this Untouchable category. Later, Ambedkar and Periyar made the Bahujan discourse more prominent.

The Dalit and Tribal categories belong to Untouchables. What made them more vulnerable is that Brahmins through Manusmriti made them the lowest among Avarnas.

I don't know whether you are aware that the recent incident at Hathras happened to the lowest sub-caste among Dalits known as Valmiki Community. They are involved in manual scavenging in the North.

What is evident is that Casteism is alive even within the lower caste. One of my friends got divorced soon after his in-laws found out that his family belongs to a lower sub-caste among Dalits!

In this context, Diwali is a Brahmanistic festival while Onam and Pongal of South India are the festivals of Hindu people. The festivals of the oppressed.

The rise of the religious-right is frightening. Thank you for your insights. Thank you so much for reaching out.