Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability a

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Question

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A — The Poona PactStep-by-step Solution:The Poona Pact (26 September 1932) was a pivotal agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar that had profound implications for the political mobilisation of untouchables and for Gandhi's own priorities.Context: The British government through the Communal Award (August 1932) had allocated separate electorates for 'Depressed Classes' (untouchables). Gandhi, who was imprisoned at Yerawda Jail in Pune, went on a fast-unto-death opposing separate electorates for untouchables. He believed separate electorates would permanently divide Hindu society along caste lines.Ambedkar (who favoured separate electorates as a guarantee of political power for untouchables) negotiated with Gandhi. The Poona Pact was the result: Separate electorates were abandoned; instead, reserved seats in the general electorate for Depressed Classes were increased (from 71 to 148 reserved seats in provincial legislatures).The Poona Pact was a turning point: After the Pact, Gandhi launched an intensive campaign for the eradication of untouchability. He called untouchables 'Harijans' (people of God), founded the All India Anti-Untouchability League (later Harijan Sevak Sangh) in 1932, started the journal 'Harijan' in 1933, and undertook a nation-wide Harijan tour (1933–34). This marked the formal inclusion of Harijan upliftment as a central plank of Gandhi's programme.Why other options are incorrect:Option B (Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931): The Gandhi-Irwin Pact suspended the Civil Disobedience Movement and allowed Gandhi to attend the Second Round Table Conference. While important, it did not specifically trigger Gandhi's Harijan programme. ✗Option C (Quit India Movement arrests): Quit India was in 1942 — much later than when Gandhi launched his Harijan programme (1932–33). ✗Option D (Government of India Act, 1935): The Act created provincial autonomy and expanded representative government, but it was not the trigger for Gandhi's Harijan programme. ✗Key Concept: Poona Pact (1932): Signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar on 26 September 1932 at Yerawda Jail. Replaced Communal Award's separate electorates with increased reserved seats in general electorate. Ambedkar's view: Saw the Pact as a defeat; believed Gandhi effectively sabotaged Depressed Classes' political autonomy. Gandhi's view: Believed unity of Hindus was essential and separate electorates were divisive. Post-Poona Pact Gandhi initiatives: Harijan Sevak Sangh (1932); Journal 'Harijan' (1933); All-India Harijan Tour (1933–34) — visited over 12,500 villages. Ambedkar's later critique: Published 'What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables' (1945) and 'Annihilation of Caste' (1936) — critiqued Gandhi's approach as patronising. 1955: Untouchability Offences Act (later Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1976) made untouchability a punishable offence.

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?

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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?

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