Gandhi and Parchure Shastri: A Stand Against Untouchability and Leprosy Stigma at Sevagram

The relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Parchure Shastri stands out as one of the most direct challenges to entrenched social prejudices in twentieth-century India.

It reflects a lived commitment to confronting the stigma attached to leprosy and untouchability through action, not just words.

The story of their association at Sevagram Ashram in Vidarbha remains a key chapter in understanding Gandhi’s method of social reform.

The Scholar Isolated by Disease

Parchure Shastri, a respected Sanskrit scholar and poet, had already earned recognition for his intellectual capabilities well before his association with Gandhi.

However, the stigma attached to his leprosy overshadowed his scholarship. The disease, seen through the lens of orthodox Hindu traditions as a mark of spiritual impurity or sin, led to his social isolation and exclusion.

This exclusion reflected not only the physical impact of the disease but also the cultural and ritual segregation imposed by the society of the time.

The first connection between Gandhi and Parchure Shastri took shape in 1932 during the civil disobedience movement. Both men were imprisoned at Yerawada Jail in Pune. Shastri, due to his leprosy, was held in a separate ward. Gandhi’s attempts to meet him were blocked by prison authorities.

Instead of giving up, Gandhi began sending letters to Shastri, offering words of support. This early correspondence laid the foundation for a bond that would later transform into one of the most significant examples of Gandhi’s philosophy of equality and service.

Shastri’s involvement in one of the defining political moments of the period further underlined Gandhi’s respect for him.

During Gandhi’s fast unto death in September 1932, which led to the signing of the Poona Pact, Shastri played an important ceremonial role. The breaking of the fast was marked by Shastri chanting verses from the Upanishads.

This act demonstrated Gandhi’s deliberate choice to place someone considered untouchable by social standards at the heart of a national event.

Arrival at Sevagram and Gandhi’s Direct Intervention

Mahatma Gandhi Massaging Parchure Shashtri's Limbs

By 1939, Shastri’s condition had deteriorated severely. Accounts suggest that Gandhi came across Shastri in a state of destitution, lying by the roadside.

Recognising both the human suffering and the social rejection that compounded it, Gandhi arranged for Shastri to be brought to Sevagram Ashram for care and shelter.

This decision was not just an act of compassion. It was a bold statement against the social beliefs that equated disease with sin and justified exclusion. In many traditional circles, leprosy was seen as not only a medical condition but a reflection of karmic punishment, leading to practices of ostracisation. Gandhi’s decision to offer Shastri refuge directly opposed these beliefs.

Gandhi personally took responsibility for Shastri’s care. He washed Shastri’s wounds, applied medicine, and massaged his limbs daily.

Such direct contact with a leprosy patient was exceptional at a time when most avoided even proximity to those afflicted by the disease. This daily act of service became a significant symbol of Gandhi’s stand against untouchability.

A hut was constructed within the ashram premises specifically for Shastri. Known as "Parchure Kuti," this structure was placed next to Gandhi’s own residence, "Bapu Kuti." The decision to locate Shastri’s hut so close to his own residence was a direct rejection of the concept of ritual pollution associated with leprosy.

Shifting Attitudes at Sevagram

The care given to Shastri at Sevagram did not immediately change the perceptions of the other ashram residents. Many were hesitant to engage directly in his treatment due to prevailing fears about the disease.

However, Gandhi’s continuous example had an impact over time. Several members of the ashram community gradually joined in assisting with Shastri’s care, overcoming their initial hesitation.

This gradual shift reflected not just a change in individual attitudes but a confrontation with the broader social mindset that supported exclusion and discrimination. Gandhi’s approach was not limited to verbal advocacy against untouchability. His actions at Sevagram forced the issue into the daily practices of the ashram, challenging people to re-examine their beliefs through participation.

As Shastri’s health improved under this care, Gandhi encouraged him to contribute to the ashram’s intellectual life. Shastri began teaching Sanskrit to the children of the community.

Gandhi also invited him to officiate marriages at Sevagram, including unions between Dalits and caste Hindus.

In doing so, Gandhi placed Shastri in a role of respect and leadership, reversing the social script that had cast him aside.

Gandhi’s Commitment to Service Beyond Politics

Parchure Shashtri is Being Treated for Leprosy while Mahatma Gandhi Watches

The priority Gandhi placed on caring for Shastri was not limited to the period of Shastri’s stay at Sevagram. An account shared by Narayan Desai, son of Gandhi’s personal secretary Mahadev Desai, offers a striking example of this commitment.

In 1939, during political negotiations with the British government about India’s position in World War II, Gandhi had travelled to Shimla for discussions with Viceroy Linlithgow.

When the meeting was delayed by a week, Gandhi chose to return to Sevagram rather than stay on in Shimla. When questioned about this decision, Gandhi responded by highlighting the importance he placed on his service to Shastri.

This prioritisation of care for a leprosy patient alongside national political concerns reflected Gandhi’s belief that social reform and personal service were interconnected responsibilities. His actions suggested that addressing the needs of the marginalised was as essential as negotiating political freedom.

Shastri remained at Sevagram until 1942 before relocating to a leprosy home in Dattapur, Wardha. He passed away on September 5, 1945.

Though his time at Sevagram spanned only a few years, the impact of his presence there and Gandhi’s care for him left a lasting mark on the history of the ashram and the broader discourse on social reform in India.

Parchure Kuti continues to stand at Sevagram today, visited by many who seek to understand the depth of Gandhi’s commitment to fighting discrimination.

The structure serves as a physical reminder of how simple acts of care can confront deep-rooted injustice.