Untouchability by Mahatma Gandhi
The father of the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was a vehement critic of the caste system, which causes some people to be considered “untouchable” by those of higher castes. He also fought against Hindu exclusivism in a country which is home to large numbers of people from others faiths, trying to establish the principle of secularism, meaning that the government would not favor any one religion and would enjoy equal privileges.
There is an ineffaceable blot that Hinduism today carries with it. I have declined to believe that it has been handed down to us from immemorial times. I think that this miserable, wretched, enslaving spirit of “untouchableness” must have come to us when we were at our lowest ebb. This evil has stuck to us and still remains with us.
Untouchability as it is practiced in Hinduism today is, in my opinion, a sin against God and man and is, therefore like a poison slowly eating into the very vitals of Hinduism. In my opinion, it has no sanction whatsoever in the Hindu Shastras taken as a whole. It has degraded both the untouchables and the touchable. It has stunted the growth of nearly 40 million human beings. They are denied even the ordinary amenities of life. The sooner, therefore, it is ended, the better for Hinduism, the better for India, and perhaps better for mankind in general.
So far as I am concerned with the untouchability question it is one of life and death for Hinduism. As I have said repeatedly, if untouchability lives, Hinduism perishes, and even India perishes; but if untouchability is eradicated from the Hindu heart, root, and branch, then Hinduism has a definite message for the world. I have said the first thing to hundreds of audiences but not the latter part. Now that is the utterance of a man who accepts Trust as God. It is therefore no exaggeration. If untouchability is an integral part of Hinduism, the latter is spent bullet. But untouchability is a hideous untruth. My motive in launching the anti- untouchability campaign is clear. What I am aiming at is not every Hindu touching an “untouchable” but every touchable Hindu driving untouchability from his heart, going through a complete change of heart. It is bad enough when dictated by selfish motives to consider ourselves high and other people low. But it is not only worse but a double wrong when we tack religion to an evil like untouchability. It, therefore, grieves me when learned pundits come forward and invoke the authority of shastras for a patent evil like untouchability. I have said, and I repeat today, that we, Hindus, are undergoing a period of probation. Whether we desire it or not, untouchability is going. But if during this period of probation, we repent for the sin, if we reform and purify ourselves, history will record that one act as a supreme act of purification on the part of the Hindus. But if, through the working of the time spirit, we are compelled to do things against our will and Harijans come into their own, it will be no credit to the Hindus or to Hinduism. But I go a step further and say that if we fail in this trial, Hinduism and Hindus will perish. Harijan means “a man of god.” All the religions of the world describe god preeminently as the friend of the friendless, Help of the helpless, and Protector of the weak. The rest of the world apart, in India who can be more friendless, helpless, or weaker than the forty million or more Hindus of India who are classified as “untouchables”? If, therefore, any body of people can be fitly described as men of god, they are surely these helpless, friendless, and despised people, Hence. I have always adopted Harijan as the name signifying “untouchables.” Not that the change of name brings about any change of status, but one may at least be spared the use of a term which is itself one of reproach. When caste Hindus have of their own inner conviction and, therefore, voluntarily , got rid of the present-day untouchability we shall all be called Harijans, for , according to my humble opinion, caste Hindus will then have found favor with God and may therefore, be fitly described as men.
In 4-6 pages, students will critically interact with the assigned articles. This assignment is not just a critique of the authors/articles. Feel free to bring in other points of view. Leave no stone unturned. Integrate as much of this [and other] course materials as possible).Critical Interaction Paper (CrIP) : Students will critically review the article, “Untouchability,” by Mahatma Gandhi (on Canvas). The review should be coherent and should include the following components with subheadings: 1) A summary of his main argument [3 pts]; 2) An analysis of the strength and/or weakness of the main argument. Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the philosophical assumptions of the author. Speculate on how others might respond to Gandhi’s position, especially based on Indian history and culture. Be thorough and candid. [3 pts.]; and 3) A discussion of the implications for American stratified society – in other words, what difference does Gandhi’s argument make in the pursuit of equality in a multicultural and capitalist America. You are expected to comment directly on the religious, cultural, and economic aspects of American society. [4 pts.].
