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UPSC Prelims 2025Question 74Modern History

Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?

Options

  1. (a)The Poona Pact
  2. (b)The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)
  3. (c)Arrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement
  4. (d)Promulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935
Correct answer: a
Decision rule

Gandhi's social programmes trace to episodes about caste representation, not to political settlements with the Raj; date the programme's founding body to fix the trigger.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(a) The Poona Pact

Explanation of the Correct Answer

  • The Poona Pact was signed in September 1932 between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, following Gandhi’s opposition to the Communal Award by the British government.
  • The Communal Award (1932) had proposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (now Dalits), which Gandhi opposed as it would further divide Hindu society.
  • While imprisoned in Yerwada Jail, Gandhi undertook a fast unto death against the award.
  • The result was the Poona Pact, where both leaders agreed to enhanced reserved seats for the Depressed Classes within the general Hindu electorate, not separate electorates.
  • Following this moral and emotional turning point, Gandhi made Harijan upliftment (Harijan = "children of God", a term he used for Dalits) a central part of his social and political agenda.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

  • (b) The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (1931) – Incorrect:

    This was a political settlement that led to the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement and Gandhi’s participation in the Second Round Table Conference. It did not trigger Gandhi’s Harijan movement.

  • (c) Arrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement (1942) – Incorrect:

    This event occurred much later and pertained to freedom struggle logistics, not the origin of Gandhi’s Harijan focus.

  • (d) Promulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935 – Incorrect:

    While this act introduced provincial autonomy and reserved seats for minorities, Gandhi’s Harijan work had already begun following the Poona Pact in 1932.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: Poona Pact and Harijan Upliftment

Event / TermDetails
Poona Pact1932 agreement between Gandhi and Ambedkar on joint electorates with reservations for Dalits.
Gandhi’s FastUndertaken in Yerwada Jail to protest the British-imposed separate electorates for Dalits.
Harijan Sevak SanghFounded by Gandhi in 1932 to work for upliftment of the Harijans (Dalits).
Harijan (term)Coined by Gandhi meaning “children of God”; used to refer to the Depressed Classes.
Separate ElectoratesProposed by British in the Communal Award; opposed by Gandhi, supported by Ambedkar (initially).
Joint ElectoratesAgreed in Poona Pact: Dalits vote in general electorate but have reserved seats.

Related Concepts or Facts

ConceptExplanation
Depressed ClassesTerm used during colonial period for what are now referred to as Dalits or Scheduled Castes.
Communal Award (1932)Announced by Ramsay MacDonald; granted separate electorates to minorities including Dalits.
Gandhi-Ambedkar DebateCentered around political representation vs. social integration of Dalits.
Social Reform by GandhiIncluded campaigns against untouchability, temple entry movements, and promotion of education.

Table: Related Concepts and Terms – Poona Pact & Harijan Upliftment

Concept / TermExplanation / Relevance
Poona Pact (1932)Agreement between Gandhi and Ambedkar to replace separate electorates with reserved seats for Depressed Classes in joint electorates.
Communal Award (1932)Issued by British PM Ramsay MacDonald; proposed separate electorates for minorities including Depressed Classes.
Fast unto DeathGandhi’s non-violent protest in Yerwada Jail against separate electorates for Dalits.
HarijanTerm coined by Gandhi meaning "Children of God", used to refer to Dalits/Untouchables.
Harijan Sevak Sangh (1932)Organization started by Gandhi to promote education, temple entry, and social equality for Harijans.
Dr. B. R. AmbedkarLeader of the Depressed Classes; initially supported separate electorates; later signed Poona Pact.
Joint Electorates with ReservationsCompromise formula under Poona Pact—no separate electorates, but reserved seats within Hindu electorate.
Temple Entry MovementsGandhi promoted entry of Harijans into temples, especially during his Harijan Yatra.
Gandhi’s Harijan YatraNationwide tour to spread awareness against untouchability and promote Dalit integration.
Dalit Political RepresentationCore issue of Ambedkar's politics; led later to demand for constitutional safeguards.

Table: Events Mentioned in the Options – Context and Significance

EventYearKey PersonalitiesMain Features / Outcomes
Poona Pact1932Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B. R. AmbedkarReplaced separate electorates (Communal Award) with reserved seats in joint electorates for Depressed Classes; led to Gandhi’s Harijan movement.
Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)1931Mahatma Gandhi, Viceroy Lord IrwinEnded Civil Disobedience Movement (Phase I); Gandhi agreed to attend Second Round Table Conference; government released political prisoners.
Arrest of Congress leadership during Quit India Movement1942Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Congress Working CommitteeBritish arrested Congress leaders after “Do or Die” call; led to leaderless mass protests and underground activities.
Government of India Act, 19351935British ParliamentIntroduced provincial autonomy, federal structure (never implemented), and separate electorates; became a model for parts of the Indian Constitution.

Notes:

  • Only the Poona Pact (1932) directly led to Gandhi’s decision to focus on Harijan upliftment.
  • The other events are significant in India’s freedom struggle but are not directly linked to the beginning of Gandhi’s Harijan campaign.
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