History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c21.46.4

v2.c21.46.4

The population of untouchables in India has been estimated at various figures from three crores to six crores. The Simon Commission Report (1930) vol. I. p. 40 estimated that there were about 43 millions of untouchables in the whole of India, the criterion adopted being whether pollution by touch or approach within a certain distance is caused. The ratio of untouchables to the total population of India or to the Hindu population varies greatly in different parts of India. The total Harijan (the name given to untouchables by Mahatma Gandhi) population is 14 per cent of the whole population of India. In the Bombay Presidency the ratio of Harijans to Hindus is only about eleven per cent being the lowest of all provinces and States in India, while in Bengal the ratio is about 32 per cent which is the highest in India except in Assam.⁴¹⁸ The High Courts in India have held that the untouchables are included among śūdras for purposes of marriage. Vide *Sohan Singh vs. Kabla Singh* 10 Lahore 372, *Muthusami vs. Masilamani* 33 Mad. 342.⁴¹⁹