Ambedkar adopted a radical approach towards issue of untouchability. He advocated for complete anhilation of Caste system for solving this problem . He argued that till caste is there, out-caste will continue to remain and untouchability will continue to persist. He led many marches against untouchability the famous one being in Mahad for access to public tank. He called on the Dailts to organise, educate and then agitate. He advocated for socio-economic development of Dalits through education, industrialization, reservation etc. Later on he resorted to conversion to Buddhism stating that “He was born as an Hindu, but won't die so”.
However, Ambedkar wasn't able to sustain the political movement after initial success of Independent Labor Party and Scheduled Caste Federation. Also, he was unable to nurture secondary leaders to take the movement forward after his death.
On the other side, Gandhi adopted a reformist and moral approach towards untouchability. He argued for caste system as it promotes harmony and synergy. He appealed to the conscience of the people to realise the historical necessity of accommodating the “Harijans” by providing them a rightful place in the society. He advocated positive means for the uplift of Harijans which included temple entry movement, access to public places like pulbic wells and schools.
However, Gandhi's approach has often been criticized for being pacifist and ignoring the inherent conflict between different Varnas of Caste system.
On the whole of it, it was only with the efforts of these two leaders that India drafted a progressive constitution which abolished untouchabilitiy under Article 17. However, this evil has continued to persist in Indian society in some form or other. What is needed is a public and social movement against it.
However, Ambedkar wasn't able to sustain the political movement after initial success of Independent Labor Party and Scheduled Caste Federation. Also, he was unable to nurture secondary leaders to take the movement forward after his death.
On the other side, Gandhi adopted a reformist and moral approach towards untouchability. He argued for caste system as it promotes harmony and synergy. He appealed to the conscience of the people to realise the historical necessity of accommodating the “Harijans” by providing them a rightful place in the society. He advocated positive means for the uplift of Harijans which included temple entry movement, access to public places like pulbic wells and schools.
However, Gandhi's approach has often been criticized for being pacifist and ignoring the inherent conflict between different Varnas of Caste system.
On the whole of it, it was only with the efforts of these two leaders that India drafted a progressive constitution which abolished untouchabilitiy under Article 17. However, this evil has continued to persist in Indian society in some form or other. What is needed is a public and social movement against it.
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