Mahatma Gandhi's Campaign Against Untouchability: Analyzing Statements

Mahatma Gandhi dedicated a significant part of his life to eradicating the social evil of untouchability in India. His efforts were central to the Indian social reform movement and aimed at uplifting the depressed classes, whom he called 'Harijans'. Let's carefully examine the given statements about his anti-untouchability campaign.

We need to evaluate each statement to determine its correctness regarding Mahatma Gandhi's campaign.

Statement 1 Analysis: All India Harijan Sevak Sangh

Statement 1 says: "The All India Harijan Sevak Sangh was founded for this purpose."

• Mahatma Gandhi founded the All India Anti-Untouchability League in September 1932, following the Poona Pact.
• This organization was later renamed the Harijan Sevak Sangh (Servants of Untouchables Society).
• The primary objective of the Harijan Sevak Sangh was to work for the removal of untouchability and for the socio-economic and educational advancement of the depressed classes.
• Thus, the All India Harijan Sevak Sangh was indeed founded specifically for the purpose of Gandhi's anti-untouchability campaign.

Based on historical facts, Statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2 Analysis: Untouchability and Hindu Shastras

Statement 2 says: "The campaign was to root out untouchability since it did not enjoy the anti-sanction of the Hindu shastras."

• This statement is phrased in a rather complex and potentially confusing manner. Let's break it down.
• "Anti-sanction" typically means a prohibition or forbidding. So, "did not enjoy the anti-sanction" would mean it was *not* prohibited or forbidden. This implies that untouchability was permitted or sanctioned by the Hindu shastras.
• The statement, therefore, suggests that Gandhi campaigned to root out untouchability because the Hindu shastras *did not prohibit* it (i.e., they permitted it).
• However, Gandhi's argument against untouchability was often framed differently. While he acknowledged that some interpretations and practices justified untouchability based on shastras, he fundamentally argued that untouchability was a sin and a distortion of the true spirit and teachings of Hinduism. He sought to reinterpret shastras or argue that untouchability was a later corruption, not an essential part of the ancient faith.
• He did not campaign *because* shastras permitted it; he campaigned because he believed it was a grave injustice that went against the core principles of dharma, regardless of interpretations that seemed to sanction it. His goal was to change people's understanding and practice, asserting that true Hinduism was incompatible with untouchability.
• Therefore, the reason given in Statement 2 for Gandhi's campaign is inaccurate and misrepresents his position regarding the shastras.

Based on the analysis of Gandhi's arguments and the problematic phrasing, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Conclusion

Evaluating both statements:

• Statement 1 is correct because the Harijan Sevak Sangh was founded for the anti-untouchability cause.
• Statement 2 is incorrect because it inaccurately describes Gandhi's reasoning regarding Hindu shastras and untouchability.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct.

Revision Table: Gandhi's Anti-Untouchability Campaign Facts

Additional Information: Mahatma Gandhi and Social Reform

• Poona Pact (1932): Occurred just before the founding of the Anti-Untouchability League. It was an agreement between Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar concerning the political representation of the depressed classes, averting Gandhi's fast unto death against separate electorates.
• 'Harijan' Term: Gandhi popularized the term 'Harijan' (children of God) for the depressed classes, aiming to give them dignity. However, some leaders, like B.R. Ambedkar, preferred terms like 'Dalit' (oppressed) as they felt 'Harijan' was paternalistic.
• Campaign Methods: Gandhi's campaign involved public awareness, promoting inter-dining and inter-caste marriage, opening temples and wells to 'Harijans', and focusing on the moral conversion of upper castes. He also engaged in symbolic acts like cleaning toilets.
• Caste vs. Untouchability: While Gandhi vehemently opposed untouchability (as distinct from the varna system, which he viewed in an idealistic, non-hierarchical manner based on duty), B.R. Ambedkar sought the annihilation of the entire caste system, which he saw as inherently discriminatory and the root cause of untouchability.