| Q29
Contd
Those
who were engaged in unclean vocations were, because of this,
segregated, But it was unpardonable that no steps were taken
for their educational, economic and cultural upliftment. It should
be remembered that such segregation was on grounds of health and
sanitation, and vested economic interests helped to perpetuate the
system. Religion had no hand at all in it. That the many saints born
among these untouchables were honoured by the entire society is
proof enough for this contention.
Of late, there has been a general
wakening in the Hindu society with regard to this problem
which is also posing a danger to the solidarity of our nation. The
Heads of Mathas and other Hindu religious leaders seem to be shaking
off their age old attitudes and apathies. Entry of Harijans into the
temples, allowing free access to them in the religious fares and
festivals, inviting them to take part in community dinners
without discrimination, special efforts to propagate religion and
culture among them these are some of the programmes that are
being undertaken to eradicate this evil.
However, progress in this direction seems
to be rather tardy and needs to be speeded up. The panacea,
however, for the problem of untouchability and the
disabilities faced by the Harijans is proper education leading to
right attitudes and values, as also speedy economic progress. This
two way progress, to be sure, will automatically wipe out this
blot that has doggedly plagued our society .over centuries. |
