Brahmansism, Hinduism and Secularism; the Trifecta of understanding political control and its relationship with Shudras and the Bhakti movement.
Rise of Protestant movement which made way for Separation of the state and church, gave rise to Secularism , however we don't find the same separation between the Brahminism and Hinduism, although movements like the Bhakti movement seems to make an attempt to bring Gods beyond the control of Hindu clergy yet such attempts fails upon the anvil of reforms as the core of Bhakti movement through it constituting elements like Naam Japa and Kirtan points towards the attempted inclusion of the Shudras within the Hindu fold, while remaining subservient to the Idea of Brahminism and the authority of the Brahman is not challenged;
To further substantiate the deep rooted Mindset against Shudras, i would point towards the statements of the current ShankarAcharyas of Puri and of Joytir matha, who on record have categorically denied the right of Shudras to take Sanyas, pointing out that the religious text do not permit for such a thing. what's also interesting is the caveat drawn by ShankarAcharya of Puri who say that "Dharam is cheez ki anumati (Shudras to take Sanyas) nahi deta, parantu kisi ko phal se vanchit nahi keya hai", implying that if a Shudras wants to attain moksha, they can only do so by serving the 3 Dwija i.e., Brahmin, Kshatriya & Vaishya (as is stated in the Shastras upon the Duties of a Shudras); It seems The Bhakti movement was started for allowing the Sudras with an alternative to the "PHALA" for furtherance of their Spiritual journey within the Hindu fold and such was done while keeping the Hindu clergy in the center, Rituals still remained closely guarded by the Brahmins and were only reserved for the Dwija, Showing that unlike western Secularism where the Ideas was of undoing the control of clergy upon Christian Faith, Bhakti movement was a rather pacifist movement designed at curbing the growing discontent among the Shudras; constructed to proactively manage their discontent after observing their upward economic mobility in the society, which if left unattended would surely pose a threat to Brahmin's Ideological hold on Hinduism as fewer patrons would financially aid towards the furtherance of their ritualistic practices while at the same time subscribing to opposing or divergent ritualistic sects including but not limited to Buddhism, Jainism and Islam, followed by Patronage to Christians.
Over at least the last two millennium the Brahmin always made sure he was not only politically powerful and but socially relevant, be that through declaration of kings divine authority, linking the births, birth of their Dynasty to mythological figures, Mythological stories or by comparing their rule with those experienced in the different lokas and further the use of religious Texts like the Manusmriti, Ushna Smriti to subjugate the general populous; thereby effectively using the carrot and the stick approach for their political holds; Carrot for the Kings and Stick for everybody else. These texts openly advocated for the exclusion of Shudras from ritualistic elevation and even mandates punishment for Shudras making found guilty of attempting such feat, thereby exercising control over them through the executive, legislative and since the judiciary comprised of those who have been educated under such texts it would naturally cohort the like minded, thereby making the Shudras hapless upon the desires of the Brahmin controlling the entire system.
Inclusion was the bait. Hierarchy was the hook, the door to heaven was cracked open but the keys are yet to be surrendered, Bhakti movement did not break Brahmanism. It taught the excluded to sing inside it—and called that liberation.
PS: This piece is confined towards the North Indian Bhakti movement which came about in the 15th century, while South India's Bhakti movement deserves it own elaborate piece to justify its history from the 7th century.