Dalits Patronised

by S.K.Chahal

The present study seeks to analyze the role, response and contribution of the Indian National Congress to the cause of Dalits from 1921 through 1947. During the early stages, the Congress regarded the Dalit problem similar to the problems of sati, widowhood, child marriage, female infanticide etc. Mahatma Gandhi, however, took the problem seriously and considered untouchability as a 'monster', a 'blot' and a 'sin'. The new thing which the Mahatma included in the Congress approach had religious or Hinduite dimension which resulted in turning of the Congress approach into a patronalistic approach.In order to check the Dalit leadership, the Congress launched a massive campaign for Dalit upliftment, namely the 'Harijan Movement' on the basis of their patronalistic approach.