Previous Year Question
The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Gopal Baba Walangkar was an early Dalit journalist, thinker and anti-caste social reformer from Maharashtra. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Dalit periodical movement.
He was an ex-army man and was greatly influenced by Jyotiba Phule.
In 1888, Walangkar began publishing the monthly journal Vital-Vidhvansak.
It was the first monthly journal whose principal target audience consisted of people from the untouchable communities. It sought to discuss their social problems and create awareness of their rights.
The title Vital-Vidhvansak meant the destroyer of Brahmanical or ceremonial pollution.
Walangkar also contributed articles to Marathi newspapers such as Sudharak and Deenbandhu and composed Marathi verses to inspire people.
Other options:
Jyotiba Phule influenced Walangkar’s ideas, but Walangkar published Vital-Vidhvansak.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was not connected with the publication of this journal.
B. R. Ambedkar’s major journalistic work began with Mooknayak in 1920, whereas Vital-Vidhvansak appeared in 1888.