Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?
Contents17
- AThe Poona Pact
- BThe Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)
- CArrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement.
- DPromulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935
Show answer
Answer: (A) The Poona Pact
The Poona Pact (September 24, 1932) was the event after which Gandhi formally incorporated the upliftment of 'Harijans' (untouchables/Dalits) into his political and social programme.
Background: In 1932, the British announced the Communal Award, which gave separate electorates to Depressed Classes (untouchables), as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had demanded.
Gandhi opposed separate electorates (fearing it would permanently divide Hindu society) and went on a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail in September 1932. This led to negotiations between Gandhi and Ambedkar, resulting in the Poona Pact — which replaced separate electorates with reserved seats within the general electorate.
After this episode, Gandhi realized that merely opposing untouchability in speeches was not enough.
He launched a dedicated movement, started the 'Harijan' newspaper (1933), founded the All India Anti-Untouchability League (later renamed Harijan Sevak Sangh), and undertook extensive tours of the country to fight untouchability.
The upliftment of Harijans became a central, organized part of his social and political agenda.
The other options are from different periods and contexts. Answer is (a).
The Poona Pact (1932) emerged from Gandhi's fast unto death against separate electorates for Dalits under the Communal Award, leading to negotiations with Ambedkar that replaced separate electorates with reserved seats.
After the Poona Pact, Gandhi transformed his approach from merely speaking against untouchability to launching organized campaigns - he started the Harijan newspaper in 1933, founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh, and made Dalit upliftment a central political program.
The question tests whether students understand this specific turning point when Gandhi moved from passive opposition to active, institutionalized effort for Dalit rights.
Communal Award 1932
Modern Indian History Communal Award
Communal Award 1932: British Decision on Separate Electorates
Communal Award announced by British PM Ramsay MacDonald in August 1932
Granted separate electorates to Depressed Classes (untouchables) as demanded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Gandhi opposed it, fearing permanent division of Hindu society
Led to Gandhi's fast unto death in Yerwada Jail in September 1932
Context & Purpose
The Communal Award was Britain's attempt to solve the representation problem of various communities in Indian legislatures. It extended the system of separate electorates (already given to Muslims in 1909) to other communities including Depressed Classes, Sikhs, Indian Christians, and Anglo-Indians.
Key Provisions
Community | Provision | Seats Allocated |
|---|---|---|
Depressed Classes | Separate electorates | 71 seats in provincial legislatures |
Muslims | Continued separate electorates | Extended representation |
Sikhs | Separate electorates | Specific allocation in Punjab |
Indian Christians | Separate electorates | Limited seats |
Anglo-Indians | Separate electorates | Nominated representation |
Gandhi's Opposition
Feared fragmentation of Hindu society into permanent separate groups
Believed separate electorates would institutionalize untouchability instead of ending it
Argued it would create political divisions that would harm national unity
Preferred reserved seats within joint electorates as a compromise solution
Trap: Don't confuse Communal Award (1932) with Government of India Act 1935 - Award was the preliminary decision
Trap: Communal Award gave separate electorates, Poona Pact gave reserved seats - understand the difference
Trap: Gandhi opposed separate electorates for Depressed Classes only, not for Muslims (that was already established)
Poona Pact 1932
Modern Indian History Poona Pact
Poona Pact 1932: Gandhi-Ambedkar Compromise on Dalit Representation
Signed on September 24, 1932 between Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Replaced separate electorates with reserved seats for Depressed Classes
Increased reserved seats from 71 to 147 in provincial legislatures
Turning point - Gandhi formally included Harijan upliftment in his political programme
Crisis & Negotiation
Gandhi's fast unto death in Yerwada Jail (September 20, 1932) created a national crisis. Pressure mounted on Ambedkar from various leaders including Madan Mohan Malaviya, Rajagopalachari, and Rajendra Prasad to negotiate with Gandhi and save his life.
Communal Award vs Poona Pact
Aspect | Communal Award (Aug 1932) | Poona Pact (Sep 1932) |
|---|---|---|
Electoral System | Separate electorates | Joint electorates with reserved seats |
Seats in Provinces | 71 seats | 147 seats (doubled) |
Central Legislature | Not specified | 18% of total seats |
Voting Rights | Only Depressed Classes vote | All voters elect reserved candidates |
Gandhi's Position | Opposed, went on fast | Accepted, ended fast |
Sequence of Events
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Aug 1932**
**Communal Award** announced - separate electorates for Depressed Classes`"]
s2["`**Sep 20, 1932**
Gandhi begins **fast unto death** in Yerwada Jail`"]
s3["`**Sep 20-24, 1932**
Intense negotiations between Gandhi and **Ambedkar**`"]
s4["`**Sep 24, 1932**
**Poona Pact signed** - reserved seats in joint electorates`"]
s5["`**Post-1932**
Gandhi launches **organized Harijan upliftment movement**`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Significance & Impact
Prevented split in Hindu society while ensuring Dalit political representation
Doubled the seats for Depressed Classes compared to original Communal Award
Joint electorate system meant all Hindus would vote for Dalit candidates in reserved seats
Formal beginning of Gandhi's organized anti-untouchability campaign
Harijan Sevak Sangh founded (1932) and 'Harijan' newspaper started (1933)
Trap: Pact increased seats for Dalits (71→147), it wasn't a compromise that reduced their representation
Trap: After Poona Pact, Gandhi didn't just continue opposing untouchability - he systematically organized Harijan upliftment
Trap: Don't confuse with Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) - that was about Civil Disobedience, not Dalit rights
Gandhi's Harijan Upliftment Movement
Modern Indian History Harijans upliftment
Gandhi's Harijan Upliftment Movement: From Opposition to Organized Campaign
Started post-Poona Pact 1932 as organized political-social programme
All India Anti-Untouchability League founded (later renamed Harijan Sevak Sangh)
'Harijan' newspaper started in 1933 to spread awareness
Extensive tours across India to fight untouchability practices
Before vs After 1932
Before the Poona Pact, Gandhi opposed untouchability in principle through speeches and writings. After 1932, he realized that mere opposition was insufficient - systematic, organized effort was needed. The Harijan upliftment became a central pillar of his constructive programme alongside khadi, village industries, and basic education.
Gandhi's Harijan Movement Components
Initiative | Year Started | Purpose | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
All India Anti-Untouchability League | 1932 | Organizational structure | Later renamed Harijan Sevak Sangh |
'Harijan' newspaper | 1933 | Awareness & education | Weekly publication in multiple languages |
Temple entry campaigns | 1933-34 | Religious reform | Opened temples to Dalits across India |
Harijan tours | 1933-34 | Direct contact | 21,000 km journey across 9 provinces |
Village reconstruction | Ongoing | Economic upliftment | Wells, schools, cottage industries |
Key Principles & Methods
Satyagraha approach - non-violent resistance against untouchability practices
Temple entry as fundamental right, not privilege granted by upper castes
Economic independence through cottage industries and skill development
Education for Harijan children - schools in Harijan settlements
Inter-dining and inter-marriage to break social barriers gradually
Question Connection
The question asks 'subsequent to which event' Gandhi included Harijan upliftment in his political and social programme
Key word is 'included' - meaning organized, systematic incorporation, not just occasional speeches
Poona Pact (1932) was the watershed moment that transformed Gandhi from opposing untouchability to actively organizing Harijan upliftment
Other options are from different time periods and had no direct connection to Harijan movement
Trap: Gandhi always opposed untouchability, but systematic Harijan upliftment programme started only after Poona Pact
Trap: Don't confuse with Quit India (1942) - that was a decade later and focused on independence, not social reform
Trap: Government of India Act 1935 had provisions for Scheduled Castes but didn't trigger Gandhi's Harijan movement
Other Gandhian Events (Comparison)
Modern Indian History Gandhi-Irwin Agreement Quit India Movement Government of India Act
Other Major Gandhian Events: Why They Don't Relate to Harijan Upliftment
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) was about Civil Disobedience suspension, not Dalit rights
Quit India arrests (1942) focused on independence struggle, not social reform
Government of India Act 1935 was British constitutional reform, not Gandhi's initiative
Timeline & Context of Other Events
Event | Date | Main Focus | Relation to Harijan Upliftment |
|---|---|---|---|
Gandhi-Irwin Agreement | March 1931 | End Civil Disobedience Movement | No connection - political negotiation only |
Poona Pact | September 1932 | Dalit representation compromise | Direct trigger for Harijan movement |
Government of India Act | August 1935 | New constitutional framework | No trigger - British initiative, not Gandhi's |
Quit India arrests | August 1942 | Final independence push | No connection - focus on British exit |
Why Other Options Are Wrong
Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) dealt with political prisoners and salt tax, not untouchability
Quit India Movement (1942) was 'Do or Die' for independence - social reform took backseat during wartime
Government of India Act 1935 gave constitutional status to Scheduled Castes but was British decision, not Gandhi's response
Chronologically impossible - Gandhi's organized Harijan movement started in 1932-33, before Government of India Act 1935
Trap: All options involve Gandhi, but only Poona Pact directly relates to Dalit/Harijan issues
Trap: Government of India Act 1935 mentioned Scheduled Castes but didn't trigger Gandhi's movement - that started 3 years earlier
Trap: Chronology matters - Harijan Sevak Sangh and 'Harijan' newspaper started in 1932-33, not after 1935 or 1942