Question

State your opinion:

The social & religious reform movement was led by a new generation of youth.

Answer 1

1. The contribution of the Indian social reformers who emerged from the first generation of Indians and who studied under the new educational system introduced by the British is very significant.
2. These visionaries of the Indian society were aware that political freedom was not adequate without the internal transformation. It could happen through social and religious reforms.
3. The social reformers who were trained in the modern education system introduced by the British developed a different worldview.
4. They felt the need of creating a new Indian society which cherished the progressive values of ‘Freedom, Equality, Fraternity and Humanism’.
5. They began to work towards creating mass awareness on various social and religious issues.
6. Raja Ram Mohan Roy made efforts to oppose Sati, he laid the foundation of modernity in India through his writings and work. Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj made a law for inter-caste marriage, opposed the customs of ‘Rotibandi’, ‘Betibandi’, ‘Vyavasaybandi’. Ramaswamy Naikar spoke against untouchability, Tarabai Shinde discussed reforms like widow remarriage, women’s education and many such reformers took a stand against the age-old customs, challenged the patriarchal system to change the Indian mindset.
7. Therefore, in my opinion, the social reformers created a positive picture for the future of our country. It was necessary to build a society with a firm intellectual and rational base for obtaining freedom from British rule. Thus, it is evident that these movements were led by a new generation of youth who accepted the change and were educated.