Harijan

Harijan. A term used to describe members of the former “untouchable” (Dalit) caste in India. The term was coined by Mahatma Gandhi in 1933 to refer to Dalit, or “oppressed” people, in an attempt to raise their status. The word comes from the Sanskrit harijana, which means “one belonging to the god Vishnu.”

Dalits were excluded from the fourfold varna of the caste hierarchy and were seen as forming a fifth varna, also known by the name of Panchama.

Several scholars have drawn parallels between Dalits and the Burakumin of Japan, the Baekjeong of Korea, and the peasant class of the medieval European feudal system.

Dalits predominantly follow Hinduism with significant populations following Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam.

The Constitution of India includes Dalits as one of the Scheduled Castes; this gives Dalits the right to protection, positive discrimination (known as ‘reservation’ in India), and official development resources.