Mahatma gandhi and untouchability. Campaign against Untouchability 2022-11-16
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Mahatma Gandhi was a key figure in India's struggle for independence from British rule and is revered as the father of the nation. One of Gandhi's key priorities was the eradication of untouchability, a social practice that relegated certain castes to a lower status and prohibited them from participating in mainstream society. Gandhi believed that untouchability was a violation of human rights and that all people, regardless of their caste, should be treated with dignity and respect.
Gandhi first encountered the issue of untouchability while studying law in London, where he learned about the plight of India's untouchables, also known as Dalits. Upon his return to India, Gandhi began campaigning against untouchability and worked to raise awareness about the issue. He believed that the best way to combat untouchability was through non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, and he encouraged his followers to engage in acts of non-violent resistance, such as boycotting segregated schools and refusing to pay taxes to the British government.
Gandhi's efforts to combat untouchability were met with resistance, both from within and outside of the Hindu community. Many Hindus believed that untouchability was a fundamental aspect of their religion and were unwilling to give it up. Additionally, the British government was opposed to Gandhi's campaign against untouchability, as it feared that it would lead to social unrest and undermine their authority.
Despite these challenges, Gandhi persisted in his efforts to end untouchability. He argued that the caste system, which was the basis for untouchability, was a man-made construct and had no basis in Hindu scripture. He also encouraged Hindus to embrace their fellow Dalits as equals and to treat them with respect and compassion.
Gandhi's efforts eventually paid off, as the issue of untouchability gained increasing attention and support. In 1950, the Indian Constitution formally abolished the practice of untouchability and made it illegal to discriminate against Dalits. Today, the legacy of Gandhi's work against untouchability lives on, as India continues to grapple with the issue of caste discrimination and works towards building a more inclusive and equal society.
In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi was a tireless campaigner against untouchability and played a key role in bringing about its abolition in India. His belief in non-violent resistance and his commitment to the principles of justice and equality continue to inspire people around the world to this day.
What did Gandhi do for the abolition of untouchability? Answer at BYJU’S IAS
In what follows, terms such as untouchable, Harijan, outcaste, depressed, 'suppressed, and Dalit are used. . In a certain sense, the roots of Gandhi's rejection of untouchability and the belief that it is not central to Hinduism lie in the Ramayana. Once arriving in South Africa, he almost immediately experienced the prejudice that Indians living there had been enduring. This certainly cannot be the Hindu religion.
Despite protests, the police and taluk authorities failed to provide justice to the victim. This was one of the greatest achievements in the political career of Gandhi. But ironically, it is the educated who practise this more. It was the best remedy against pauperism. Uncharitable critics described the fast as a form of coercion, a political blackmail.
Considering some human beings as untouchables and oppressing them is senseless. You must have admission to schools along with the children of other castes without any distinction. If you want power, change your religion. State-wise, untouchability is most widespread in Madhya Pradesh 53% , Himachal Pradesh 50% , Chattisgarh 48% , Rajasthan and Bihar 47% , UP 43% and Uttarakhand 40%. Governmental Efforts: The governmental effort is directed towards prevention of untouchability on the one hand and improvement in the condition of the untouchables on the other. Also see "Interview to 'The Hindu'"CWMG, vol.
Conversion to Buddhism has transformed many lives in religious as well psychological terms. The police registered an FIR against eight people, who were arrested. Why do we give in to phoney Godmen who just want to fill their pockets? Villagers of Chikmannavalli had been restricting the entry of Dalits into Laxmi temple. Gandhiji considered untouchability as a blot on Hinduism. Gravitation affects us all, whether one knows its existence or not. Despite such statements and efforts, the evil continues Poojary says there needs to be awareness to eradicate the menace and the Vinaya Samarasya programme will be launched on a big platform.
Gandhi’s dream remains unachieved as untouchability continues
In order to remove untouchability, he called himself an untouchable and very often lived in the midst of the Harijans. Undeterred, the untouchables went ahead with their plans to hold the conference leaving open the possibility of another Satyagraha. It was an evil practice. It can be based on skin colour, gender, educational qualifications, birthplace, time of birth, English-speaking ability, food choices and every other definable quality under the sun. Soon after, the government announced launching Vinaya Samarasya, an awareness programme to eradicate untouchability. Here, too, Ambedkar was subjected to discrimination.
Caste System and Untouchability : Extracts from Gandhi Letters: FROM Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi
When, on 17 August 1932, the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announced his decision to grant a fixed number of legislative seats under a separate electorate to the untouchables, Gandhi threatened to resist MacDonald's decision with his life; he resolved to go on a fast unto death. The Mahatma writes that Mrs. Incidents of Dalits being barred to draw water from wells of families of other backward communities have been witnessed at Nandikoor near Padubidri. The only way by which you and I can wean orthodox Hindus from their bigotry is by patient argument and correct conduct. Untouchability has its roots in the caste-system. Service of Daridranarayan means propagation of Khadi, spinning, etc.
Gandhi’s Approach to Caste and Untouchability on JSTOR
His stress is that the issue of untouchability must be removed from the heart of the individual and the community by stressing that every, "touchable Hindu driving untouchability from his heart, going through a complete change of heart. In her complaint, the woman stated that the accused started beating up her husband, who fell unconscious. If you want to make the world in which you live happy, change your religion. Gandhi did not introduce a new initiative to dismantle the caste system; he left the matter in the hands of "public opinion. He soon realized that the removal of untouchability will require the mobilization and the organization of untouchables. YI, 25-5-1921, p165 It is simple fanatical obstinacy to persist in persecuting man in the sacred name of religion.
The fast dramatized the issues at stake; ostensibly it suppressed reason, but in fact it was designed to free reason from that mixture of inertia and prejudice which had permitted the evil of untouchability, which condemned millions of Hindus to humiliation, discrimination and hardship. The residents even searched for another worker and told her to get transferred to Sirgapur, a neighboring village. I am undermining it completely, he said, by my tackling untouchability. For Gandhi, Swaraj was not only expulsion of the British from India but also the liberation of society from slavery. He was also concerned that the orthodox Hindus should not be alienated to a point where they would break from the nationalist platform. Although he had been exposed to hating Natives while in prison, he had loved equality between the earth and knew that everyone was equal. Religion — at least any sane religion — can never be about segregation or believing that one is superior to another by virtue of birth or ritual.
