Harijan

== English == === Etymology === Borrowed from Hindi हरिजन (harijan, literally “Children of God”). Coined by Narsinh Mehta, a Gujarati Bhakti poet Narsinh Mehta in the 15th century and popularized by Mahatma Gandhi as an alternative to the term Dalit. === Noun === Harijan (plural Harijans) (derogatory) Synonym of Dalit. ==== Usage notes ==== Now considered offensive to Dalits, as the term is considered patronising, ignorant, and seeking to assimilate them into Hindu nationalism. == French == === Etymology === Borrowed from Hindi हरिजन (harijan, literally “Children of God”). Coined by Narsinh Mehta, a Gujarati Bhakti poet Narsinh Mehta in the 15th century and popularized by Mahatma Gandhi as an alternative to the term Dalit. === Noun === Harijan m (plural Harijans) (derogatory) Harijan ==== Usage notes ==== Now considered offensive to Dalits, as the term is considered patronising, ignorant, and seeking to assimilate them into Hindu nationalism.