• Ms. Jagriti

In response to the problems experienced by India's Dalit population, the Congress Party's top brass launched the Harijan Movement (1932–1934). The Indian National Congress began its effort to elevate the Downtrodden Classes after persuading the Dalit leadership to support the Poona Pact. Their goal was to establish political supremacy over the larger Depressed Classes of India, who were not yet mobilised enough to accept and support their genuine leadership. The first stage of the Harijan Movement's methodical implementation focused on institutional and intellectual endeavours to gain Congress's support for the Depressed Classes. Activities pertaining to promotion and advocacy made up the second part of the Congress. According to Mahatma Gandhi's socio-religious interpretation of Hindu scriptures, the concept of untouchability does not have any support within Hinduism. Those working to change Caste Hinduism, Gandhi said, should be deeply devout and do it with a spirit of devotion. They were called Harijan Sevaks. He argued that people of non-Hindu religion could not carry out such endeavours successfully and was so opposed to their participation. Gandhi was also supportive of the Caste Hindu reformers' gradual shift in attitude towards the Downtrodden Classes, which they achieved by nonviolent and patient measures. He thought that for the most part, the anti-untouchability campaign would change the minds and hearts of Caste Hindus towards Harijans. Additionally, he warned against using improper language while dealing with traditional Sanatanists and those who are unwilling to adapt, and he stressed the importance of gently and thoughtfully influencing public opinion in their favour. The plan also included convincing the upper-caste Hindus to let the lower-caste people use their temples, schools, and wells. But if the Hindus of the Caste objected, then they should have their own temples built. Both inter-caste marriage and feasting, Gandhi made clear, should be entirely up to the discretion of the individuals involved. Finally, the strategy assured the Downtrodden Classes that the newly-freed Indian constitution will do away with the sin of untouchability entirely. There is agreement that any future constitution must include the abolition of untouchability, as Mahatma Gandhi himself said. To sum up, the leadership of the Congress Party did its utmost to appease and satisfy the Depressed Classes and the Caste Hindus.

Harijan Movement, Depressed Classes, Harijans, Indian National Congress.

"A Research Review on the Socio-Religious Approach of the Harijan Movement", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 10, page no.g412-g418, October-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2410650.pdf

"A Research Review on the Socio-Religious Approach of the Harijan Movement", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 10, page no. ppg412-g418, October-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2410650.pdf