6 important suggestions for Removing Untouchability

The untouchability as we have already seen is very deep rooted in this country. It is linked with the social, economic and religious conditions. If it has to be done away completely long range and wide efforts shall have to be made for these the following suggestions may be worthwhile:

1) Education:

Task of education shall be two fold. On one hand the Harijans shall have to be educated so that they can become conscious of their obligations and also earn their livelihood in a respectable manner. Apart from it, those who are not Harijans have to be educated about the problem. It means that they should be told that this is not a very good thing for their country, for their society and for their own selves. Needless to say that for providing better education to the Harijans, more money shall have to be invested so that they can get facilities.

2) Strict enforcement of laws:

The laws are also there and they have to be enforced. The enforcement machinery is not very effective. It is a typical situation. If a Non-Harijan who is not committed to the problem of untouchability is placed in charge of the affairs, he does the work in a half minded manner. On the other hand if a Harijan is given the responsibility for implementing these programmes there is danger of this becoming too partial. This could yield to favoritism which will have certain repercussions.

3) Improving the economic lot:

The basic need is the improving economic lot of the Harijans. This should be done through various ways:

a) The programme for bettering the economic conditions of the Harijans should be drawn up and enforced.

b) They should be provided with assistance for agriculture, cottage industries and even for the occupations that they want to pursue.

c) They should also be trained in various jobs.

D) Programme for propaganda against the social disabilities inflicted upon Harijans and the evil practice of untouchability should be carried on. It would be better if committed Non-Harijans are entrusted with this task.

4) Reservation to continue:

Reservation that is existed at the present moment should be allowed to continue at least for a decade more. This continuance would give them an opportunity to balance the position. The Harijans have been subjected to various types of disabilities for hundreds of years. If they are allowed to favorable treatment for five decades, there will not be much of harm done. These reservations should continue in the legislature, the services and the other places.

5) Propaganda against Caste System:

The greatest need is to remove the wrong notions about the Caste System in fact the Caste System has done the greatest harm to the country. It has checked economy and social mobility. When people become conscious of the evils of the Caste System, then automatically the untouchability shall vanish.

6) Harijans should be given protection and encouragement but the link with the upper classes should be maintained:

Because of the lack of education, the programmes that are being launched for eradication of untouchability are being misunderstood by the caste Hindus. They are also suffering economically because the whole economy was based on the exploitation of the so called Harijans. Such a situation is likely to cause an imbalance. This thing should be taken care of.

The programme for upliftment of Harijans should not be allowed to be incorporated as a programme intended at weakening the caste Hindus. The links between the two should be maintained. In this respect Arya Samaj has done a lot and if the programme of Harijan Welfare is entrusted to the committed Arya Samaj it can do a lot for the eradication of untouchability.

The evil practice of untouchability has bewared various aspects of our society. It shall have to be eradicated but it will take time and the only thing shall have to be done in a very wise and tactful manner.