<P> Harijan (Hindustani: हरिजन (Devanagari), ہریجن (Nastaleeq); translation: "person of Hari / Vishnu") was a term popularized by Indian political leader Mohandas Gandhi for referring communities traditionally considered so called Untouchable (formerly called "acchoot" अछूत in Hindi). The term achoot is now considered derogatory, and the term Harijan is no longer used . They are now called Dalits . However the euphemism Harijan is now regarded as condescending by many, with some Dalit activists calling it insulting . As a result, the Government of India and several state governments forbid or discourage its use for official purposes . </P> <P> Though Gandhi popularized the term harijan, which literally meant children of god, but according to dharma brahmin are said to be children of god Harijan it was suggested to him by a brahmin during his political period, who had come across the term in the works by the Gujarati Bhakti era poet - saint Narsi Mehta.It has been claimed that in Narsi's work, the term refers to the children of Devadasi s., however the claim cannot be verified . According to other source the medieval devotional poet Gangasati used the term to refer to herself during the Bhakti movement, a period in India that gave greater status and voice to women while challenging the legitimacy of caste . Gangasati lived around the 12th - 14th centuries and wrote in the Gujarati language . </P> <P> Actually the word Harijan used by Narsihma mehatha for the first time </P>

All of the following are true of indian harijan except