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?
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Answer: A. The Poona Pact (September 1932) ended Gandhiji's fast against separate electorates for the Depressed Classes. After it, he made Harijan upliftment a central programme: he founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh (1932), started the weekly 'Harijan' (1933) and toured India on an anti-untouchability campaign.
Watch for: Know the order: Communal Award (August 1932) then fast, then Poona Pact, then the Harijan campaign.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) dealt with ending civil disobedience, not untouchability.
- C. By the Quit India arrests (1942) his Harijan work had been going on for a decade.
- D. The Government of India Act, 1935 came after his Harijan campaign had begun.
Source to check: NCERT Class XII 'Themes in Indian History Part III', chapter on Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement; Bipan Chandra, 'India's Struggle for Independence'
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.