Mahatma Gandhi And Caste System

Gandhi’s beliefs on the caste system were very different, according to him each Varna was determined by birth and to each it was assigned with no implications of superiority or inferiority. Gandhi did not consider Varnas to be a man made institution but the “law of life universally governing the human family.” And so Caste system was not a hurdle to overcome, but, Untouchability associated with the caste system was. Therefore, Gandhi also says that “To remove untouchability is a penance that caste Hindus owe to Hinduism and themselves. The purification required is not of untouchables, but of the so-called superior castes.” Gandhi’s childhood and the caste system Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in a Conservative Hindu family. His family belonged to the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism, and in his childhood, he had worn the shikha and the tulasi-kanthi (Necklace of tulasi beads) that were considered obligatory. He writes, “On the eve of my going to England, however, I got rid of the shikha.” which shows his disbelief in the religious and caste rituals. He also adopted an “untouchable” girl, Lakshmi, as his daughter. She used to live in his ashram and often travelled with him. Thus, he always stood against untouchability and these early experiences formed the basis of his ideas on untouchability. Major events in Gandhi’s life concerning caste system In 1917, when Gandhi was engaged in the campaign at Champaran, he was shocked by the caste consciousness of his lawyer friends who had a servant and a cook, and therefore a separate kitchen. On a visit to Almora in 1929, Gandhi was dismayed to find that even in such a beautiful place and among such hospitable people, the “evil custom” of untouchability prevailed. He discovered that there was no necessary connection between untouchability and a person‘s occupation. While on a tour, he met the leaders of Ezhavas of Tamil Nadu. He found that their economic status, educational qualifications and personal cleanliness were infinitely superior to that of a lot of Brahmins he had met all over India. Yet, they were treated as untouchables and denied entry to public roads, temples and public schools. Gandhiji’s beliefs through “Harijan” On 16TH November 1932, Gandhiji undertook a fast until death in the protest if the British Government’s decision to separate India’s electoral system by caste.

At that time Gandhiji was in prison in Yerovda jail, near Bombay because of the Civil Disobedience movement. It was during this time Gandhiji introduced the concept on ‘Harijan’ which literally translates into “Children of God”. He saw this as the god given opportunity to sacrifice his life for the downtrodden. The six day fast ended when the separation decision was reversed and reservation for the untouchables was accepted. With an aim of sacrificing his life for the downtrodden, Gandhiji started publishing a weekly newspaper known as “Harijan”, to highlight their problems in the mainstream society and also hoping for a change in the social mindset. The first edition published on 11th February 1933 makes Gandhi’s view on caste very clear as he answers three questions put forth by Rev, Stanley Jones. His three questions are: Why do you restrict the movement only against untouchability and not remove the entire caste system all together, Why do you want temple entry for Harijans and lastly, if his fast was pure coercion? The first page also gives highlights of the positive impact that Gandhij’s movement against caste has created in the country with opening of many temples and schools for the ‘Harijans.” Gandhi vs Ambedkar views on caste system and untouchability The solutions that Gandhiji put forth had more religious inclination than political. He never seemed to realize that politically recognized ideas would help rectify the issues of the oppressed classes. On the other hand, Ambedkar who was a member of the Dalit community disliked being called a Harijan, as this name didn’t reflect the years of oppression and struggle that they had to face. Gandhiji’s beliefs of continuing the caste system was also disliked within the community. For Gandhi, holding onto religion while studying western ideas was important whereas western education and philosophy offered Ambedkar a way out of oppression. Ambedkar believed that Hinduism was a tainted religion as it promoted the idea of Chaturvarna whereas Buddhism was the most rational religion that discouraged chaturvarna and promoted equality and therefore later in his life he embraces Budhism. Thus, Ambedkar firmly believed that religion itself couldn’t help solve this problem that had filled its deepest cracks and crevices.

References

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