![]() ![]() At the age of eighteen, he defied caste to go abroad, thereafter faced the wrath of his brother who admonished him, subsequently took the risk of social boycott for accepting ‘Untouchables’ in his ashrams on equal terms, performed ‘unclean’ tasks himself, and vowed and worked to eradicate untouchability. Gandhi had overcome caste prejudices at age twelve when he challenged his mother arguing that Hindu religion did not sanction untouchability. ![]() Such interpretations reflect an oversimplified understanding of a complex reality. Others, sympathetic interpreters, see Gandhi undergoing a rational evolution, ranging from an all out orthodox stance in the early years to a liberal one by the 1930s. Gandhi has been attacked for ambiguity and inconsistency on the issue and an excessive deference to Hindu orthodoxy. ![]() Gandhi’s ideas on caste and untouchability have created much misunderstanding in scholarly circles. ![]()
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