Yuvacharya Mahaprajna
The study of Jain Vidya revealed that casteism was not in conformity with truth and that it was the way the Jain community behaved itself that made it look so. A move was initiated to put an end to this practice based on duplicity. Acharyashree himself led the way. He visited the Harijan colonies. He also directed his sadhus and sadhvis to make it a point to visit such colonies in the areas they moved about. Gradually it became possible for the Harijans to enter the pandal (a specially erected tent in which Acharyashree delivers his discourses). Special Harijan conventions were organized under the auspices of Acharya Tulsi. Thousands of Harijan brethren attended them. Acharyashree had to face strong resistance from a section of his followers. Many ventures were undertaken for the education of the Harijans. In order to promote their welfare, a separate institution, Bhartiya Samskar Nirman Samiti, was established. Several camps were organized for Harijans under its aegis. In these camps the Harijans were taught how they could get rid of their habits of taking intoxicants and impure food and how they could overcome their inferiority complex. Some more vows were added to the Anuvrat Code of Conduct with a view to strengthening human solidarity.
They are as follows:
- I will have faith in the unity of all human beings.
- I will not consider anyone untouchable on grounds of caste, creed, colour and class.
Acharyashree was taking leave of the people of Ladnun for the next phase of his journey. It was planned that the Harijans would enter the panda! to listen to his discourses. Some people decided to oppose the move. They began to declare that they would not allow the Harijans to enter the pandal. Acharyashree got an inkling of these developments. He said, "No one has the authority over a place where we stay. Preventing Harijans from coming to this place will mean asking us to vacate it." The opposition ended where it began.
