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How did Mahatma Gandhi use Young India and Harijan to support the freedom struggle?
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Indian Independence Movement
In August 1947 British rule ended on the Indian subcontinent.
Mahatma Gandhi utilized the newspapers Young India and Harijan as essential tools to communicate his philosophy, mobilize public opinion, and advance the Indian Independence Movement. He conducted much of his public life through these publications, which served as platforms to articulate his vision for the nation and respond to the evolving political landscape.1
- Young India: Gandhi took charge of this publication in 1919. It served as a vital medium for him to explain his spiritual and political convictions, including his commitment to satyagraha and nonviolence. Through its pages, he addressed his followers, clarified his stance on national service, and challenged the moral defenses of the British administration.12
- Harijan: Founded in 1933, this publication was specifically dedicated to advancing the campaign against the social custom of untouchability. By using the term Harijan—meaning "children of God"—to refer to the Dalits, Gandhi used the paper to advocate for social reform and the removal of their disenfranchisement, which he viewed as a fundamental component of building a free and just India.31
These journals allowed Gandhi to maintain consistency in his message while navigating the pressures of British censorship and internal political divisions.12