Thursday, February 7, 2013

Gandhiji and untouchability



Gandhiji was different from other freedom fighters and leaders of the time in a number of ways. One difference was that he gave equal importance to one more fight along with the struggle for independence, and that is, the emancipation of those tagged as “untouchables.” Gandhiji’s work against untouchability began in South Africa around five decades before our independence. 

After his return to India, an incident at his Kochrab Ashram near Ahmedabad shows us how much importance he gave to the concept of equality between castes. The year was 1915. Thakkar Bappa, a close associate of Gandhiji, sent a Dalit by the name of Dudha Bhai to live in the ashram. Everyone in the ashram, including Kasturba, was opposed to this, and this was specifically due to Dudha Bhai’s status, as deemed by the caste hierarchy. Gandhiji made it clear that Dudha Bhai would not leave the Ashram. Anyone who was not
comfortable with this was free to leave. He was informed that no one would agree and that even the funding for the ashram might stop. Gandhiji was undeterred. He was ready to shift his ashram to the Dalit basti , he said, even if it meant that his ashram would have only two members, namely Dudha Bhai and himself. Finally everyone turned around, except Gandhiji’s sister Gokiben, who left Kochrab as a result of her brother’s firm stance, never to return. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

just dropping by to say hi

dokka srinivasu said...

Nanditha madam

Great message on Mahatma Gandhi's life event.

Your blog contains some good information on various aspects.

Madam last year i am exhibiting my Gandhi stamps collection at my native town kakinada's Gandhi Bhavan on the occasion of October 2nd Gandhi Jayanthi day. Madam i shared this message in my blog on Mahatma Gandhi.

http://mahatmagandhi-philately.blogspot.in/2012/02/my-gandhi-stamps-exhibition-at-kakinada.html

Madam please look into my Gandhi collection on the above message link.

Nanditha madam further i request you please look into my Heritage of India blog's following messages.

http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2013/02/my-first-seminar-on-indian-heritage-and.html

http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2012/12/indian-woman-in-19th-century-vintage.html

Nanditha madam i request you please visit my Heritage of India blog and share your valuable comments on the above 2 messages.

Regards
Dokka Srinivasu
http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/