Hinduism, like any other religion in the world is and has been plagued by irrational elements. People advocating violence, discrimination, irrationality and fear.
Reformers advocated a religion that was relevant to the times and rational; where people could look up to for support and not in fear.
Malpractices in Hinduism
Hinduism was infested with people fearing reform.
Sati was a practice among Brahmin widows. Brahmin widows were burnt in the pyre where their dead husbands were being burnt.
Johar was a practice among Rajput widows. Rajput people belonged to a warrior clan. If a Rajput male proceeded on to a battle, his wife/wives would jump in to the pyre to avoid widowhood in case of her husband's death.
Jaatiwaad or Casteism is a practice where the 'upper' castes consider/considered people belonging to 'lower' castes as lower in status and hence unequal.
Widows were espcially feared. Hardly 20-25 years ago widows were made to shave their heads and were confined to inner rooms. Their presence was considered "ashubh" or impure.
Menstruating women are another feared lot. Their presence is considered "ashubh" or impure. This practice is still rampant amongst nearly all Hindus.
Reformers
Reformers were people who were introduced to English and read works of French Revolutionaries like Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau. They were highly influenced by them. The process of thinking started as to how to apply the laws of liberty, equality, fraternity in the Hindu scenario.
Reformers included people like:
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915) - Founder of Bharat Sewak Samaj, he supported freedom for women. Thinker on various social issues. Professor in Fergusson college of Pune.
- Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve (1858-1962) - Activist for Women's education and Widow remarriage. Established the SNDT (Nathiabai Damodar Takarsi) University for women. Professor in Fergusson college of Pune.
- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890) - Great social activist. Attacked the caste system in India and strove for providing opportunities for weaker classes/castes.
External links
Last updated: 10-18-2005 22:50:30
