Harijan

[ har-i-jan ]

noun

, plural Har·i·jans, (especially collectively) Har·i·jan.

1. Disparaging and Offensive. (in India) a member of a group formerly known as the untouchables: Harijan is a term used by Mohandas K. Gandhi but now considered condescending.

Harijan

/ ˈhʌrɪdʒən /

noun

1. a member of certain classes in India, formerly considered inferior and untouchable See scheduled castes

Word History and Origins

Origin of Harijan¹

First recorded in 1930–35; from Neo-Sanskrit harijana “person of Hari” (a name for Vishnu), hence, in Gandhi's conception, a child of God

Word History and Origins

Origin of Harijan¹

Hindi, literally: man of God (so called by Mahatma Gandhi), from Hari god + jan man

Example Sentences

“I group them based on their abilities, not their class,” said Harijan.

From Washington Post

He rejected the term Harijans, which had been applied to them by Gandhi, to their minds patronisingly.

From The Guardian

"After the wedding, everyone tells you, 'You have responsibilities now,'" said Harijan, who remarried and has three children.

From Los Angeles Times

An artist with a painted face takes part in a protest demanding the safety of artist Manish Harijan and supporting his freedom of expression, near the Kathmandu District Administration Office, Nepal.

From BBC

“There can be no room for selfishness, anger, lack of faith, or impatience in a pure fast,” he wrote in Harijan.

From New York Times