Question 9 - Past Year Questions - 5 Marks - Chapter 2 Class 10 History - Nationalism in India - History

Explain the measures taken by Gandhiji to eliminate the problem of untouchability.

Answer:  

Points to Remember 

1. Congress ignored the dalits.  Gandhiji c alled the ‘untouchable’ Harijan or children of God .
2. Satyagraha to secure their entry into temples.
3. Gandhiji himself cleaned toilets
4. swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated .
5. Persuaded upper castes to change their heart.

Answer to be written in the exam

1. Congress for a long time had ignored the Dalits , for fear of offending the Sanatanis , the conservative high-caste Hindus . Gandhiji called the ‘untouchable’ Harijan , or the children of God .
2. He Organised Satyagraha to secure them entry into temples , and access to public wells , tanks, roads and schools.
3. He himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of the Bhangi (the sweepers) , 
4. Mahatma Gandhi declared that swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated.
5. He persuades the upper castes to change their heart and give up the sin of untouchability.
6.