THE CONGRESS' HARIJAN MOVEMENT It was after 1917 that the Congress began seriously focussing its attention on elev"ating the social status of the lower and backward castes. The emergence of Gandhi as a strong force in the Congress helped in furthering caste reform aims and activities. In 1921, the Congress made an appeal for the removal of untouchability. A committee was set up in 1922 and a resolution was passed in 1923 for the purpose. Gandhi started an All-India Anti-Untouchability League, also called the Harijan Sevak Sangh, in 1932 for providing all kinds of facilities to the untouchables to improve their lot. The weekly Harijan was founded by him in 1933.
OTHERS
The Knivartas of Midnapur (Bengal), who became the Mahishyas, founded the Jati Nirdharani Sabha in 1897 and the Mahishya Samiti in 1901. Both these associations were involved in the nationalist struggle. The untouchable called Namsudras, of Faridpur, also formed associations with the help of some educated persons and missionaries.
The Kurmis and the Alurs were among the lower castes agitating in Bihar against the begar system by refusing to obey laws and to sell cow products to upper castes.
The Maharaja of Kolhapur worked for the upliftment of non-brahmins by establishing schools for them, reserving civil service posts for them, and by teaching them to do the Vedic ceremonies.
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