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On August 17, 1932, the British Prime Minister declared the separate electorate for the schedule castes in India. Gandhi thought that separate electorate for the scheduled castes would create a situation similar to the Hindu-Muslim situation on a greater scale due to dispersal of Harijans throughout India. To protest the formation of a separate state, Gandhi started a fast unto death on September 20, 1932. He was more concerned about the ethical aspect of separate electorates. He was afraid that the introduction of a separate electorate would destroy the untouchables. To aggravate the matter further, Delhi's throne was occupied by a Viceroy who was totally hostile to Gandhi. Gandhi had decided to put his life at stake to prevent untouchability being given a permanent place in the Indian Constitution.
On the first day of his fast he dictated several letters to P. N. Rajbhoj, a leader of the untouchables.45 This resulted in a discussion amongst various leaders with Ambedkar and an intense discussion between Gandhi, Ambedkar and other leaders from both sides until a solution was found to keep Harijans in the main stream Hindu population and prevent any trace of dividing the country amongst Hindu-Muslim and Harijans. He discussed the letter with his colleagues and sent to Ambedkar for his support, which he did. The vow of the fast unto death ended with due ceremony.
On February 11, 1933, Gandhi started a new weekly paper called Harijan, which provided a forum for Gandhi's projects and ideas throughout the rest of his life. In the same month, the organization "Harijan Sevak Sangh” was founded, which soon became a powerful national organization devoted to the uplift of the outcastes. Gandhi, distressed by the lack of commitment among his followers in combating untouchability, started a selfpurification fast of twenty-one days on May 8, 1933. He felt
Pg.86 Gandhi & Jainism
