<P> I don't mind untouchables if they so desire, being converted to Islam or Christianity . I should tolerate that, but I cannot possibly tolerate what is in store for Hinduism if there are two divisions set forth in the villages . Those who speak of the political rights of the untouchables don't know their India, don't know how Indian society is today constituted and therefore I want to say with all the emphasis that I can command that if I was the only person to resist this thing that I would resist it with my life . </P> <P> Mahatma Gandhi achieved some success through his hunger strike . Dalit activists faced pressure from the Hindu population at large to end his protest at the risk of his ailing health . The two sides eventually came to a compromise where the number of guaranteed seats for Untouchables would be reduced, but not totally eliminated . </P> <P> The 1950 national constitution of India legally abolished the practice of untouchability and provided measures for positive discrimination in both educational institutions and public services for Dalits and other social groups who lie within the caste system . These are supplemented by official bodies such as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes . </P> <P> Despite this, instances of prejudice against Dalits still occur in some rural areas, as evidenced by events such as the Kherlanji massacre . </P>

The stigma of untouchability was formally abolished in india in the year