The Harijan Sevak Sangh

On September 30, 1932,, Gandhi organised a group called the All India Antiuntouchability
League, which later came to be known as The Harijan Sevak Sangh.

Several untouchables were on the central board, including Ambedkar. The goals of the
organisation were to open out public wells, roads, schools, temples and cremation
grounds to the Untouchables. Intra-caste practices like rules relating to commonality did
not enter the reforms envisaged by the organisation. Between November 1933 and July
1934 Gandhi travelled 12,500 miles in India to talk about the evils of untouchability and
collect funds for the organisation.

Ambedkar wanted the Anti-untouchable league to take seriously the question of equal
opportunity in economic and social matters. His views do not appear to have been
shared by the other founders. He resigned after a few months and the other Untouchable
members also appear to have left. In course of time The Harijan Sevak Sangh did not
admit Untouchable members. Gandhi explained that the organisation was there for
repentance on the part caste Hindus. Therefore, Untouchables could advice but not play a
leading role. From this it is clear that Gandhi was extremely concerned about a change of
attitude among the higher castes and less preoccupied with the new ideas emerging from
among the Untouchables themselves.