Mahatma Gandhi on Untouchability

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Untouchability is a sin and bolt on Indian Society. Gandhi from early childhood relentlessly worked to remove untouchability. He was doing something completely original for the removal of untouchability without creating any disharmony in the individual and society. He looked at and understood untouchability from an angle no one was able to. His vision and method was direct, and this directness was, and is, revolutionary. Gandhi was the first pioneering leader who made the removal of untouchability a life mission. Gandhi made untouchability a national issue. His fight was unique and unparallel.

What is remarkable about Gandhi is that instead of falsely glorifying the past, he in fact infused the past with his very modern ideas of morality, justice, fearlessness, fraternity, absence of hierarchy, and dignity of the individual values which he thought were essential for the revivification of our ancient but also decadent society.

Mahatma Gandhi's statement on Untouchability will be an eye-opener for the general readers and critics to understand his crystal clear view on untouchability.

Anil Dutta Mishra is a distinguished Gandhian scholar and writer. He started his career as Assistant Professor in the Department of Non- violence and Peace Studies, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, Rajasthan, became Deputy Director of National Gandhi Museum and Honorary Professor, Centre for Gandhian Philosophy and Human Development, Gayatri Vidya Parishad Degree College (Autonomous), Visakhapatnam.

Dr Mishra has held the post of General Secretary of Indian Society of Gandhian Studies, Alliance for Sarvodaya, Member Board of Studies, Nagpur and Punjab Universities and is Member of Gandhian Studies Centre of different colleges and universities across India sponsored by UGC and Executive Member IIPA Regional Branch. He has authored/edited 30 books and published a number of research papers. His recent book Reading Gandhi is widely acclaimed.

Untouchability is a greatest sin and crime against individual and society. Gandhi from early childhood relentlessly worked against untouchability. In fact he has been opposed to untouchability since the age of twelve, when his mother scolded him for brushing shoulders with a young Bhangi named Uka and insisted to undergo purification. In Indian society purification was at that time a common ritual. In the purification process one should take bath and wash all the clothes which he or she was wearing at that time or sprinkle Ganga Jal on the body if he/she is not in a position to take bath. Gandhi had a deep understanding of Indian history, civilization, culture and society. So, he was doing something completely original for the removal of untouchability without creating any disharmony in the indivudual and society. He looked at and understood untouchability from an angle no one was able to. His vision and method was direct, and this directness was, and is, revolutionary. He was fighting for the removal of untouchability and at the same time empowering the powerless, voiceless, poverty ridden deprived section of the Indian society. His means may be different but his aim was to remove the untouchability from the society. One can understand that in Indian context law alone is not enough rather you have to change the mindset of the individual and society. And Gandhi was doing that.

Mahatma Gandhi's statement on Untouchability will be an eye-opener for the general readers and critics to understand his crystal clear view on untouchability. These writings show how much Gandhi was concerned for the upliftment of untouchables and end of untouchability. Gandhi's writings are reproduced here without any distortion and alteration so that the readers draw their own conclusions. To make the book reader friendly it has been divided into two parts. In part one, an attempt has been made to introduce the subject keeping all the contemporary discourses and challenges in mind. In part two, Gandhi's original writings entitled 'Statement of Untouchability' is placed for reader's deeper understanding of the subject.

I am sure that the book Mahatma Gandhi on Untouhability will open new vistas of research and proper understanding of Gandhi on this issue.

In writing this book I had received, over the years, very valuable help from friends, teachers and colleagues. I am grateful to them. My family has always stood behind me in all my academic endeavours. My wife, Dr. Sweta Mishra, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Gargi College, University of Delhi, went through the final draft and provided her valuable inputs.

Last but not the least, I am grateful to Shri Ashok Kumar Mittal of Concept Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd., for bringing out this book in present form and that too within record time.

**Contents and Sample Pages**