Gandhi Ji's Views on Untouchability
Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most revered leaders in India’s struggle for independence, is also remembered for his profound views on social justice and equality. Among the numerous social issues he took up during his lifetime, untouchability was one of the most significant. Gandhi’s fight against untouchability was not only a political stance but also a deeply spiritual and moral one. He regarded untouchability as one of the gravest forms of social injustice in India and dedicated much of his life to eradicating this practice, which he saw as a blot on Indian society and a contradiction of Hinduism’s core principles of equality and compassion.
1. Understanding Untouchability in the Indian Context
Untouchability was a practice where certain groups, considered “untouchables” or Harijans (a term Gandhi coined meaning "children of God"), were subjected to social exclusion and degradation. These individuals, often from lower castes, were denied access to public spaces, temples, wells, and even basic social interactions with people from higher castes. They were considered impure and were forced to live on the fringes of society.
This practice was deeply entrenched in the caste system, a hierarchical social structure that divided people into rigid categories based on birth. The upper castes, particularly the Brahmins, maintained a dominant position, while the lower castes, including the untouchables, were marginalized and oppressed. Gandhi, a devout Hindu, was profoundly disturbed by the practice of untouchability, which he saw as a severe contradiction of the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) and equality that he believed was integral to true Hinduism.
2. Gandhi’s Definition of Untouchability
Gandhi’s approach to untouchability was grounded in his belief that it was not only a social evil but a spiritual one. For him, untouchability was a grave sin, one that violated the very essence of human dignity. He rejected the idea that the untouchables were inherently impure. Rather, he argued that the impurity lay in the system that subjected them to discrimination and dehumanization. Gandhi saw the eradication of untouchability as essential for the moral and spiritual regeneration of both India and Hinduism.
Gandhi’s view of untouchability went beyond merely the physical or social aspects; it was deeply connected to the moral and spiritual fabric of society. He consistently argued that the caste system, and particularly untouchability, was not based on any religious scripture but was a perversion of religious teachings.
3. The Concept of Harijan
Gandhi coined the term Harijan, meaning "children of God", to refer to those who were traditionally considered untouchables. By calling them Harijans, Gandhi aimed to uplift and dignify their status within society. He viewed this as a way of counteracting the stigma and shame associated with the term “untouchable”. Gandhi believed that by changing the language surrounding untouchability, a shift in public consciousness could occur.
Gandhi’s use of the term Harijan was part of his larger campaign to reintegrate these marginalized communities into society, particularly in social and religious spaces. He famously called for the opening of temples to Harijans, claiming that temples should be places where all people, irrespective of caste, should be able to worship.
4. Campaigns and Efforts to Eradicate Untouchability
Gandhi’s commitment to ending untouchability was not merely theoretical but was reflected in his active campaigns throughout India. His campaigns were part of his larger philosophy of satyagraha (truth-force), which he used as a tool for non-violent resistance to social injustice.
One of Gandhi’s earliest campaigns was the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917, where he not only fought for the rights of indigo farmers but also emphasized the need for social and economic reforms for the lower castes. His emphasis on sanitation, education, and health for the untouchables was integral to his broader vision for an inclusive society.
Another significant moment in Gandhi’s fight against untouchability was his Temple Entry Movement, which sought to open temples for Harijans. In 1932, when the British government proposed the Communal Award, which sought to give separate electorates to the Harijans, Gandhi protested against it. He feared that this would further entrench social divisions and perpetuate the idea of untouchability. Gandhi responded by undertaking a fast-unto-death to oppose the communal separation, which resulted in the Poona Pact, a compromise that ensured joint electorates for all castes while reserving seats for Harijans in legislatures.
5. Ahimsa and Untouchability
Gandhi’s fight against untouchability was inseparable from his commitment to ahimsa—the principle of non-violence. He believed that untouchability was an expression of violent behavior, where the higher castes inflicted emotional, social, and physical harm on the untouchables. To Gandhi, true non-violence meant not just refraining from physical harm but also from mental and emotional harm. This meant challenging the social structures and prejudices that allowed untouchability to persist.
He often argued that if India were to be truly free, it would have to liberate itself from the chains of untouchability. He saw the practice as a form of spiritual violence, which could not be reconciled with India’s moral, social, or political aspirations. Thus, for Gandhi, the struggle against untouchability was not just a matter of social reform but a matter of spiritual growth.
6. Gandhi’s Lasting Legacy on Untouchability
Gandhi’s views on untouchability had a lasting impact on the Indian independence movement and Indian society at large. While he did not fully eradicate untouchability in his lifetime, his efforts laid the foundation for future social and legal reforms. After India gained independence in 1947, untouchability was officially outlawed by the Indian Constitution (Article 17), though the practice has persisted in some rural and conservative areas.
Gandhi’s legacy remains significant in the continued efforts to address caste-based discrimination. His teachings on the dignity of every human being, his insistence on the importance of social justice, and his belief in the transformative power of non-violence continue to inspire movements for equality and human rights in India and beyond.
Conclusion
Mahatma Gandhi's views on untouchability were rooted in his unwavering commitment to human dignity, social justice, and the spiritual ideals of Hinduism. He regarded untouchability as one of the greatest evils in society, and his life's work was dedicated to the eradication of this practice. By emphasizing the moral and spiritual dimensions of the issue, Gandhi sought not only to change laws but to transform minds and hearts. His legacy in the fight against untouchability, though not complete, remains a profound part of India's ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
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