Question

As a student how can we eradicate untouchability ?​

Answer 1

1. Spread of Education :

Education is the best method for the eradication of untouchability Therefore; effort should be made for the spread of education among the untouchables. Moreover, arrangements should be made by the Government for the spread of general as well as technical education among Harijan students. Special inducements in the form of scholarships, free hostel accommodation, books, stationery etc. should be provided to them.

2. Economic Facilities :

The economic condition of the untouchables still continues to be miserable. Harijan upliftment would remain a pious hope as long as .their economic position remains unchanged. Hence, they should be given vocational training in various crafts and technical skills and financially should be assisted to start small scale and cottage industries of their own.

3. Housing Facilities :

Harijans, at present, mostly live in the worst type of slums and they are segregated from the residential areas of the higher castes. Bad housing conditions not only affect their health but also affect their morality. Therefore, the Harijans should be given ample housing facilities so that they develop their living conditions. The Government while improving the housing conditions should provide new houses to the houseless Harijans. Besides, maximum financial assistance should also be provided to them for repairing old and bad houses.

4. Employment Facilities :

For the improvement of the standard of living of Harijans and other backward classes, Government should provide as much employment facilities as possible. Along with Government services, reservation of vacancies for Harijans should be made in all industrial enterprises.

5. Emancipation from Dirty Occupations :

Harijans at present are mostly engaged in various dirty occupations. It is true that one engaged in the dirty occupation, appears unclean to others. It also affects his personality. Therefore, efforts should be made at all levels to emancipate them from dirty occupations as far as possible.

6. Abolition of Caste System :

Caste system is the root cause of the origin of untouchability! Therefore, the abolition of caste system is very essential for the eradication of untouchability.

7. Encouragement to Inter-Caste Marriages :

It is a very effective means for the eradication of untouchability. By inter-caste marriages, not only two persons of different castes but their families too shall be united. To destroy age-old prejudices it should be the policy of Government to provide all types of facilities to those who have married out-side their own caste. Hence, for the removal of untouchability, inter-caste marriages, especially between the higher castes and the untouchable castes should be encouraged by all possible means.

8. Propaganda against Untouchability :

Public awareness is necessary to abolish this problem. For the eradication of untouchability, propaganda should be relentlessly directed by the Government and other social organizations against this evil through the mass-media of communication like radio, television, newspaper etc. All educational institutions should also work in this direction. As a consequence, the feelings of untouchability find no place in the minds of people and it is automatically eradicated.

9. Contact between Caste Hindus and Harijans :

It is necessary that there should be an ever increasing contact between the Harijans and the caste Hindus. The tradition of untouchability should be destroyed and the feeling of disgust which the superior Hindus harbour for the untouchables as well as the sense of inferiority of the Harijans should be eliminated .