Syllabus: GS I – Modern Indian History/The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
For Gandhi, uplifting the Harijans was a moral duty, while for Ambedkar, it was an issue of political and social justice. Discuss.
(15 marks, 250 words)
Introduction:
The practice of untouchability was one of the gravest social evils in pre-independence India, marginalizing millions of Harijans (Dalits) and depriving them of dignity and basic human rights. The issue of their upliftment was approached differently by two towering figures of modern India—Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. While Gandhi considered it a moral and spiritual obligation rooted in the reform of Hindu society, Ambedkar viewed it as a matter of political empowerment and social justice, requiring systemic and structural changes.
Body:
- Gandhi’s Perspective: Upliftment as a Moral and Spiritual Obligation
- Gandhi regarded untouchability as a sin against humanity and a blot on Hinduism. For him, the emancipation of Harijans was a moral imperative rooted in his broader philosophy of truth and non-violence.
- He believed the caste system, if purged of untouchability, could function harmoniously and advocated for the reform of Hindu society from within.
- Gandhi’s campaigns included public movements for the removal of untouchability, promotion of Harijan welfare through education and economic empowerment, and encouraging inter-dining and temple entry.
- His efforts were aimed at fostering unity between upper castes and Harijans, emphasizing mutual cooperation rather than confrontation.
- Ambedkar’s Perspective: Upliftment as Political and Social Justice
- Dr. Ambedkar rejected Gandhi’s paternalistic approach and insisted on addressing the systemic oppression faced by Dalits. He argued that caste-based discrimination was not merely a social evil but a deep-rooted structural problem necessitating political and legal interventions.
- Ambedkar championed the cause of Dalit rights through demands for separate electorates, political representation, and access to education and public resources.
- His approach underscored the importance of dismantling the caste system altogether, advocating for constitutional safeguards, and empowering Dalits to assert their rights independently.
- Ambedkar’s leadership during the framing of the Indian Constitution ensured the inclusion of provisions like reservations and anti-discrimination laws, which remain the bedrock of Dalit empowerment today.
Conclusion:
While Gandhi’s approach mobilized public opinion and highlighted the moral and spiritual dimensions of untouchability, Ambedkar’s vision was transformative, addressing the systemic inequities through political and legal mechanisms. Both perspectives, though divergent, contributed to the broader goal of Dalit empowerment. Gandhi’s efforts initiated social reforms, while Ambedkar’s ensured that the rights and dignity of Dalits were safeguarded in independent India. Together, their legacies continue to shape India’s journey toward an egalitarian society.
Value Addition:
- Quotable Quotes:
- Gandhi: “Untouchability is a crime against God and humanity.”
- Ambedkar: “Justice is another name for liberty, equality, and fraternity.”
Relevance Today:
The contrasting approaches of Gandhi and Ambedkar highlight the importance of a holistic strategy—moral, social, and legal—in addressing deep-seated social inequities, a lesson relevant for tackling contemporary issues of social justice in India.
