Who founded Harijan Sangh and contended that the Shastras did not approve untouchability; and if they did, they should be disregarded?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Correct Answer
Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation
Mahatma Gandhi founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh in 1932 to eradicate untouchability from Indian society. Following the Poona Pact, he launched a massive nation-wide campaign against untouchability, choosing the term 'Harijan' (meaning children of God) to refer to oppressed classes. Gandhi firmly argued that ancient Hindu Shastras did not support or sanction untouchability. He went on to assert that if any religious text or Shastra explicitly approved of such an inhuman practice, it was contrary to truth and morality and should therefore be completely disregarded.
Key Points
The organization was initially established on September 30, 1932, under the name 'All India Anti-Untouchability League', which was later renamed Harijan Sevak Sangh.
Industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla served as its founding president, while social worker Amritlal Takkar, popularly known as Thakkar Bapa, served as its secretary.
Gandhi also started a weekly journal named 'Harijan' in 1933 to promote social reforms, equality, and the integration of Dalit communities into mainstream society.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: In which year did Mahatma Gandhi establish the Harijan Sevak Sangh?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi established the Harijan Sevak Sangh in the year 1932.
Question: Who was appointed as the first president of the Harijan Sevak Sangh?
Answer: Renowned industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla was appointed as its first president.