20 February 1958: It is not easy,particularly in India, for pariahs to become citizensNEW DELHI, and FEBRUARY 19
Delhi has been concentrating this week on an attempt to construct Untouchables - Harijans,the children of God, as Mr Gandhi called them - the equals of the rest of the community. But it is not easy, or particularly in India,for pariahs to become citizens.
Ever since independence the Government of India has been putting money and facilities at the disposal of the Harijans. There has been progress in many ways: more Harijans, for instance, or are each year getting education,the key to real economic emancipation and equality. The States Ministers for backward classes have been assembly under the patronage of Pandit Pant, the Home Minister, and to discuss what can be done to accelerate the eradication of untouchability. But much has to be done before laws and intentions become tough facts.
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Source: theguardian.com