If forced, how? How does this sit with claims of exclusion? Were the backward groups forced or excluded? If they emulated, what is the problem?

See here for an example of how certain SC ritualists freely used “brahmanical” ritual format/syntax.

https://twitter.com/ghorangirasa/status/1032838880930684928?s=21 https://twitter.com/reclaimtemples/status/1249278484326658049

Look, let us be realistic. Say, there are 5 priestly groups of completely different ethno-historical backgrounds, each of them is going to contribute to differing ritual & philosophical “grammars”. And not all of these “grammars” can be expected to become dominant.++

Some “grammars” will develop tremendous potential & become better suited to accommodate the increasingly complex & sophisticated ritual, spiritual & intellectual needs of a people. Others won’t. This is just the way it is.

The वैदिक-पौराणिक-आगमिक grammars are the most robust & sophisticated. That’s just the way it is. And no, this is not about संस्कृत. Even non-संस्कृत works written in these grammars will be very robust & powerful, compared to relatively simplistic grammars.

The reason urbanised people of “non-brahmanical” backgrounds give up rural & tribal worship has nothing to do with brahmanization or sanskritization. Are you so disingenuous that you will buy this nonsense narrative? It’s the natural consequence of urbanization. That’s it.++

And in this world where the formation of religious & spiritual sensibilities are increasingly under threat, it is the so-called “brahmanical” grammars of वैदिक-पौराणिक-आगमिक, that can provide satisfying narratives & answers for people.

So, “brahmanical religion” with its 1000s of years worth of experience & resources has the capacity & explanatory power to provide the grand narratives we Hindus need, that tribal or rural systems simply cannot.++

+If you are a truly educated person, set aside any visceral feeling of this being “unfair” & think calmly. Take the example of fierce folk deities doling out justice & receiving tobacco orcalcohol as offerings.+

First, they are absorbed into the pantheon of a higher-level village god as the latter’s subordinates. Then, you slowly see his transformation into a folk manifestation of a particular, fierce form of a mainstream god. And then, he is fully identified with the mainstream god.

To the faithless & non-cynical, this is another sociological process, now labeled as sanskritization. But to the non-cynical, this is a process of discovery. As one becomes more capable of seeking higher needs, he also starts peeling off his gods to discover deeper layers.

Here is a perfect example of how both mainstream शास्त्रीय & tribal rites could co-exist. This was the model. It is disingenuous to suggest “force”. It is even worse to suggest both “force” & “exclusion”. https://twitter.com/ghorangirasa/status/1098053639342419968?s=21