Was gandhi against Depressed Cl peoples?

Gandhiji was standing for the oppressed cl people. He participated in a strike in Kerala to give equal rights to the then 'untouchables' to enter and pray at a very famous Shiva temple. He used to hail such ppl as Harijans - meaning Vishnu's(vishnu is a Hindu Lord) very own people. There though his purpose was pure, I personally think there was no need to give their group a separate name.