Harijan

American  

[har-i-jan] / ˈhær ɪˌdʒæn /

Sometimes harijan

noun

plural

Harijans,

plural

Harijan

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.

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Harijan British  

/ ˈhʌrɪdʒən /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Harijan

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

Example Sentences

One of them was Jagadish Harijan, 25, in the first year of his training course.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2021

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2015

Harijan learned that when he was away, she would wear makeup and flirt with other boys in the village.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2015

It became an unwritten law that there should be at least one Harijan minister in the cabinet of each state in the republic.

From Time Magazine Archive

Two weeks ago, as part of a week-long celebration of Gandhi's birth, all India observed an official Harijan Day.

From Time Magazine Archive