An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal Vol.

2, Issue-I
(Peer Reviewed & Opened Access Indexed) July 2016
Web: www.jmsjournals.in Email: jmsjournal.in@gmail.com

GANDHI's TOUR OF BELLARY DISTRICT

Dr. P. Nagabhushanagoud,
Department of History
Davangere University, Davangere, Karnataka- 577002

Introduction

Gandhiji having suffered bitter experiences in South Africa turned into a sterner to change the
course of history and Society in India. Untouchability prevalent in India’s nock and corner in society
moved Gandhi over much. Untouchability is a slur on India’s society and humanity. When human
minds stir, society cannot remain static. 12th century Karnataka’s philanthropist Basavanna’s writings
in the shape of Vachanas (couplets), his reform movement, had greatly facilitated Gandhi’s attempt at
removal of Untouchability in Karnataka in general, Bellary in particular. Present paper throws light
on Mahatma Gandhi’s campaign against Untouchability in Karnataka with special reference to
Bellary district. It is because of the ideological commitment and missionary zeal of Dr. B. R.
Ambedkar and the whole hearted support of Gandhiji and the members of the constituent Assembly,
number of provisions are incorporated in the Constitution of India for the up liftment of Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Article 17 of the Constitution of India stipulates that Untouchability is
abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. This article has been implemented by the
protection of civil rights Act1. The provisions of the Constitution of India were largely inspired by
Gandhi’s ideology. Gandhi was great as he acted great.
Almost all social evils prevalent in Indian society had the feel and touch of Gandhi. His
religion was humanity; every bit of his life had a human touch; and his every action was inspired by a
feeling of well-being and welfare of human being, and the large human populace in India. There is
almost no part of India’s life and society which remained untouched and unaffected by Gandhi’s
ideas, action and ideology. Politics, society and religion were integral part of Gandhi’s philosophy of
life and daily living. Satya, Ahimsa, Satyagraha were the tools which he used to experiment with life
and living in society. Gandhi could not tolerate injustice in society in any form. He is still
remembered and honoured by the total population for what he did to them and for them, not by
achieving India’s independence but by social emancipation from the age-old evil customs, practices
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 An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal Vol. 2, Issue-I
(Peer Reviewed & Opened Access Indexed) July 2016
Web: www.jmsjournals.in Email: jmsjournal.in@gmail.com

and prevalence of Untouchability within groups and society. The philosophy of Gandhi flows like the
holy river Ganga and to deal with the problem of Untouchability is like tasting the sip of water from
the greater river. And if one likes the similar, to deal with the philosophy of Gandhiji is like seven
blind persons describing the elephant.
The Directive Principles of the Constitution of India Emphasise socio- economic goals. The
deliberate intention of the founding fathers of the constitution was that such principles would bring
about a social and economic revolution which is essential for the survival of the country.2 Gandhi was
not first person to campaign against social inequality in India. Personalities like Gautama Buddha,
Basaveshwara, Sant Kabir, Organisations like Arya Samaj, Brahma Samaj revolted against social
evils and attacked the evil of Untouchability. But during the National Movement against British rule
in India Mahatma Gandhi has been the outstanding champion of the Untouchables.
It was Gandhi who succeeded in giving the harijan movement cohesion on all- India basis. It
was he who persuaded the Indian National Congress to accept Harijan uplift as an integral part of the
freedom movement. Gandhi believed that a good society necessarily believes in freedom, equality
and fraternity. Gandhi who aimed at establishing such a society taught men to believe that people had
no caste, that they were all equal. He also realised that the ideal of equality could be fact only when
the class taboos were removed. So Gandhi toured nook and corner of the country against the practice
of Untouchability. He also visited Karnataka. Despite of some stray protests and the deliberate
withdrawal of the Harijans, the campaign in Karnataka was a great success beyond expectations.
Albert Einstein’s exclamation that “it is difficult to believe that such a person like Gandhi ever lived
and breathed in the midst of human beings” 3
Gandhiji in Bellary District
The then Bellary District, consisting of Eight Taluks namely Bellary, Kudligi, Hospet,
Kurugod, Sandur, Hadagali, Mallapur (new taluk H.B.Halli) and Harapanahalli was the part of
Madras Presidency. Harapanahalli is separated from Bellary District and included in Davangere
District. The Condition of Depressed Class in Madras presidency was very miserable. In certain
Districts depressed class people were not permitted to pass through certain public streets, and have no
access to drinking water wells and tanks under the management of Taluk Boards and District Boards
and any attempt to throw them open to depressed class is strongly resented by the caste Hindus. In

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 An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal Vol. 2, Issue-I
(Peer Reviewed & Opened Access Indexed) July 2016
Web: www.jmsjournals.in Email: jmsjournal.in@gmail.com

this juncture Gandhiji visited Districts Madras presidency in Karnataka including Bellary District
with the agenda of removal of Untouchability through propagation. He visited Bellary in 1934. On 2
March, 1934 Mahatma Gandhi arrived at Harapanahalli enroute to Princely State of Sandur. In
Harapanahalli people welcomed him enthusiastically. With the people of Harapanahalli Town He
took a procession in the Street of the Town. The Road from Tegginamatha towards Kottur is named
after Gandhi as M.G.Road. Freedom Fighter Vasupalappa Ijari and others collected the fund for
Harijan and presented to Gandhi4. Inspired by Gandhi, H M Veerabhadraiah has established the Free
Hostels for Harijans and Valmiki people in Kottur, Kudligi and Sandur. On Same night he reached
tiny state Sandur where Yashvantarao Ghorpade was ruling. Gandhiji was very happy to hear about
King’s concern over the Untouchables. King was an enlightened ruler. In his state education was free
up to matriculation. It can be recalled in this connection is that, in November, 1932 King admitted
Harijans to a share in all amenities provided by the state through a special proclamation. There was
also an elected Harijan member in the Sandur State Council. On August, 1933 Harijans were first
allowed to enter the thousand year old Kumaraswamy temple, situate six miles away from the town.
This move of the King attracted Gandhiji and he appreciated this. Mahatma Gandhi offered prayers in
the massive Mandir near his residence. Harijans were present in common with the others. He was
very much tired of journey from Haveri to Davangere; from there to Harapanahalli and Sandur. He
travelled a railway journey of forty four miles and a motor drive on execrable roads of eighty four
miles in a day. This journey left him hardly any energy to make a speech. So he did not make any
public speech in Sandur. But he congratulated the ruler as well as the people of Sandur on their anti
untouchability activities and expressed the opinion that the example of Sandur might well be copied
by bigger States5.
Speech at Bellary
After a successful meeting in Sandur with the people Gandhiji left the tiny state on 3 March,
1934 for Bellary. On the same day itself a public meeting was held. At this juncture Bellary reception
Committee was formed to welcome the Mahatma. The committee was collected harijan fund earlier.
While presenting the purse, the chairman of the committee mentioned that there were some Savarna
Hindus (Forward Caste) who did not contribute to the fund. Point to be noted in this connection is
that In reply to the Chairman of the Reception Committee Mahatma Gandhi congratulated him for his

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 An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal Vol. 2, Issue-I
(Peer Reviewed & Opened Access Indexed) July 2016
Web: www.jmsjournals.in Email: jmsjournal.in@gmail.com

frankness and said that it was for the first time that he had heard such dissociation. He had also that
sanatanists (those who strongly believed in fundamentalism of religion) resented his attempt to
procure legislation on temple entry. He assured them that there was no question of compulsion in the
proposed bill. On the other hand, it was designed to remove the legal compulsion that was then
existed. He appealed to the Bellary Sanatanists to help where there was no difference of opinion. He
pleaded for mutual toleration. He could say without hesitation that moneys that we being collected
were not to be used for building any religious buildings like temples. They were to be used solely for
constructive work of kind of education of Harijan children, the opening of hostels for harijan
children, and advised the people for the general economic betterment of harijas6. Gandhiji made
appeal to the sanatanists, he said, he would like to test the feelings of the vast gathering in front of
him. He therefore he asked the volunteers to go amidst the men and women present and collect
whatever they might give for the Harijan cause, knowing what it was to be used for. Many came to
the platform bringing their donations, some individuals giving more than ten Rupees each. Th4e
volunteers also collected donation from the vast majority and handed over to the committee.
Gandhiji having suffered bitter experiences in South Africa turned into a sterner to change the
course of history and Society in India. Untouchability prevalent in India’s nock and corner in society
moved Gandhi over much. Untouchability is a slur on India’s society and humanity. When human
minds stir, society cannot remain static. 12th century Karnataka’s philanthropist Basavanna’s writings
in the shape of Vachanas (couplets), his reform movement, had greatly facilitated Gandhi’s attempt at
removal of Untouchability in Karnataka in general, Bellary in particular.

End Notes
1. Constitution of India, Part III, article 17
2. Deshpande P C., Contemporary Political Issues, Nutan Vidyalaya Degree College, Gulbarga, 2008, p.45-47
3. Biradar G A., Mahatma Gandhi’s Campaign against untouchability in Karnataka, Chaitra Pallavi Prakashana,
Mysore, 2010, preface by S G Ghatapanadi
4. Hirematha Veerabhadraiah., Harapanahalli Taluku Swatantrya Horaatagaararu, Kannada work Sri Jagadguru
Renuka Prakashana, Harapanahalli, 1998, 9.30
5. Interview with Freedom Fighter H M Veerabhadraiah at Harapanahalli.
6. Biradar G A., op.cit, P.70

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