Question

Why did dalits(untouchables) did not participate in the civil disobedience movement ?

Answer 1

Initially, Congress had ignored the dalits for fear of offending the Sanatanis, the conservative high-caste Hindus.

(ii) But Mahatma Gandhi believed that Swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated.

(iii) He called them 'Harijans' and he himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of sweepers.

(iv) But many dalit leaders demanded reserved seats in educational institutions and a separate electorate.

(v) So dalit participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement was limited.

Answer 2

Explanation:

(i) The congress had ignored the dalits for a long time because it suffered from a fear of offending the Sanatans, who were the conservative high caste Hindus.But Mahatma Gandhi declared that Swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated.

(ii) He organised statyagrahas to secure them entry into temples and access to public wells, roads, etc. He persuaded upper castes to change their heart and give up the ‘sin of untouchability’.

(iii) But many dalit leaders were keen on a different political solution to the problems of the community. They began organising themselves, demanding reserved seats in educational institutions and a separate electorate that would choose dalit members for legislative councils.

(iv) Dalit participation in Civil Disobedience Movement was therefore limited,particularly in the Maharashtra and Nagpur region where their organisation was quite strong.

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