Harijan Sevak Sangh

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Harijan Sevak Sangh is a nonprofit started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1932 to end untouchability and help Harijan, or Dalit, people. It is based at Gandhi Ashram in Kingsway Camp, Delhi, and has branches in 26 states.

History
After Gandhi opposed the British government’s Communal Award and fasted in Yerwada Jail, he agreed to a pact with B. R. Ambedkar on 24 September 1932. On 30 September 1932, Gandhi founded the All India Anti Untouchability League to remove untouchability. It later became Harijan Sevak Sangh. Ghanshyam Das Birla was its founding president and Amritlal Takkar was secretary.

What it does
The Sangh works to end untouchability and helps the Depressed Classes access public places like temples, schools, roads, and water. It runs and supports many schools and hostels across the country.

Temple entry and Tamil Nadu
In 1939, led by A. Vaidyanatha Iyer, the Sangh’s Tamil Nadu branch helped Harijan members enter the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, despite opposition. This movement opened more than 100 temples to all communities.

Campus and heritage
The 20-acre Kingsway Camp campus includes Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Basti, and the Lala Hans Raj Gupta Industrial Training Institute, plus residential schools. Gandhi Ashram at this site is listed as a Gandhian Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture.

Schools in Tamil Nadu
- Villupuram district: a residential middle school established in 1993, with about 180 Scheduled Caste and 109 Other Backward Class students and 9 staff.
- Madurai: N M R Subbaraman Memorial Residential Primary School, started in 1979, with about 5 staff.

Leadership
The president is Prof. Dr. Sankar Kumar Sanyal.