Gandhi’s Harijan Campaign and Views on Caste
Background
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After the Poona Pact (1932), Gandhiji shifted his focus to fighting untouchability in Hindu society.
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He saw untouchability as a social evil that needed to be eradicated for Hinduism to survive.
Key Actions Taken by Gandhi
📌 1. Setting Up Organizations & Publications
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All India Anti-Untouchability League (Sept 1932) – To work against untouchability.
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Harijan Weekly (Jan 1933) – A newspaper to spread awareness.
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Harijan Sevak Sangh – Organization to help uplift Dalits.
📌 2. Nationwide Harijan Tour (Nov 1933 – July 1934)
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Traveled 20,000 km across India.
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Collected funds for Dalit welfare and spread awareness.
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Advocated temple entry for Dalits (Harijans).
📌 3. Fasts for Dalit Rights
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May 8, 1934 – Protest against untouchability.
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August 16, 1934 – Another fast for Dalit rights.
📌 4. Opposition from Orthodox Hindus
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Reactionary groups attacked Gandhi for his stance.
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British government sided with conservatives and rejected the Temple Entry Bill (Aug 1934), which would have allowed Dalits into temples.
Gandhi’s Views on Caste & Untouchability
✔️ Strongly opposed untouchability – Called it a sin against humanity.
✔️ Believed in temple entry for Dalits – Said Hinduism must change or it would die.
✔️ Demanded that caste Hindus should ‘atone’ for centuries of oppression.
✔️ Said scriptures (Shastras) do not support untouchability – If they did, they should be ignored.
✔️ Did not completely reject the caste system – Felt varna system (division of labor) was not sinful but untouchability was.
Impact of Gandhi’s Harijan Campaign
✅ Increased awareness about Dalit rights in society.
✅ Pressured many temples to open doors for Dalits.
✅ Strengthened the movement for Dalit upliftment in India.
✅ Purified Hindu society, as Gandhi saw it.
However, Ambedkar disagreed with Gandhi and believed that only complete abolition of the caste system could uplift Dalits. This led to tensions between their approaches to social reform. 🚩