The struggles against untouchability have profoundly transformed, moving from a reformist Gandhian approach to a radical Ambedkarite perspective. Mahatma Gandhi viewed untouchability as a moral evil within Hinduism, advocating for its eradication through an appeal to the conscience of upper castes. He called untouchables 'Harijans' (children of God) and focused on their integration into the Hindu fold through social reforms like temple entry and inter-dining, without fundamentally challenging the caste system itself. His approach was largely moralistic, paternalistic, and aimed at internal reform of Hinduism. In contrast, B.R. Ambedkar, himself a Dalit, rejected this reformist stance. He saw untouchability as an inherent structural flaw of the caste system, which he sought to annihilate, not merely reform. Ambedkar advocated for political empowerment, legal safeguards, and separate representation for Dalits, emphasizing self-respect and human dignity. His perspective was rights-based, political, and eventually led to his call for conversion out of Hinduism (to Buddhism) as a path to liberation. The shift, therefore, is from seeking inclusion within a reformed Hinduism to demanding fundamental structural change, political power, and ultimately, liberation from the oppressive caste system, marking a move from moral persuasion to assertive identity politics and legal-constitutional battles.