India is country with very diverse cultures . India today
has maintained its secular fabric very strongly . What Indian society is today
owes its contribution to the social reform movement which was started in the beginning
of the 19th century.
During the first half of the 19th century a new
generation of educated folks who went to foreign for education were
dissatisfied with social evils in the Indian society . They were started
raising their voices against it. But during those saying anything against the religion
was considered as as greatest offence and people were not ready to leave the
practices which they were following from generations .
In Maharashtra also a generation of western educated people
started some movement s against the social evils. They minutely study the
British government policies , their economic agendas, the colonial nature of British
government in India. They also felt the need to reform the Indian society on
modern lines if we want to fight the foreign ruler. The English schools started
by the missionaries in India had a great influence on the minds of educated
people. English educated had introduces them with the modern values of equality
, fraternity and the liberty.
In Maharashtra also some social and religious reforms
movements were formed like Prarthan samaj and Satyashodhak samaj.
Various leaders also came forward for the women’s rights and
their empowerment . Various practices were prevalent during those times like
Sati ,ban on women’s educations, Child marriage etc.
In this article we are going to see various social and
religious reforms movements in Maharashtra.
1)
Prarthana Samaj
Dadoba Pandurang and his brother Dr. Atmaram Pandurang
founded the Prarthana Samaj on 31st March 1867.
Prarthana Samaj was active in the social reform works. It
has started a movement to remove the untouchability from the society.
Untouchability was the biggest evil affecting our society . Around 20% of
people from the society were forbidden from even basic rights like drinking
water from the public tank , taking education etc. They were subjected to
constant discrimination from the upper caste people.
Shri. R. G. Bhandarkar and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade
were the strong supporting pillars of the Prarthana Samaj.
Justice Ranade had founded the Deccan education society with
the sole purpose of spreading national education among the masses.
N. M. Joshi had founded “Social service league” for helping
workers to fights for their rights .
Gopal Krishna Gokhale had founded the “Servants of Indian
society “ to unite the like minded young people . His society worked for
removing the untouchability from the minds of people.
Maharshi Vithal Ramij Shinde had founded “Depressed class mission
for the welfare of Untouchables .
Prarthana Samaj had started “Anath Balkashram” at
Pandharpur. This was a great step in the direction of women’s empowerment .They
also set up separate schools for girls . “Arya Mahila Samaj” which was a organization working for women was set up by them.
Prathana samaj had also set night schools for the working
people. In 1876 Bhikoba Laxman Chavhan had started the first night schools in
Cheulwadi Mumbai.
To make people aware about the ideology of the Prathana
Samaj Justice Ranade had written a book “Theist Confession of faith”.
Even though Prarthana samaj attracted various intellectuals
in the starting phase , it had failed to the reach the rural areas of
Maharashtra where it was needed more. As the Indian villages were more affected
with the social evils than the cities.
Again the workers of
Prarthana samaj followed the path of missionaries . Hence Hindus did felt
hostility towards them and saw them as interfering in their religious matter.
Prarthana samaj followers and the workers are were supporting British
government hence the nationalist minded people always seen them in hostile
manner.
But it is the fact that Prarthana samaj had done tremendous
work for the social reform in the Maharashtra. This movement brought some kind
social revolution in Maharashtra against the social evils.
Satyashodhak
Samaj (Truth seeker society )
Started by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule this organization was the
crusader against the upper caste
dominance of the society and the brahminical dominance by the them.
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule is knows as Martin Luther king of
Maharashtra .Born on 11 April 1827 he gave his life for the upliftment of the lower caste people and the women.
Along with his wife Savitribai he started the first school
for women in Pune.
Jyotirao was very angered with the upper caste dominance of the
society . He found the inequality in the society very cruel and inhumane . That’s
why he decided to fight against this discriminatory practices and to establish
a equal humane society .
For that purpose he called a meeting of his supporters from
all over the Maharashtra on 24 September 1873 at Pune. Nearly 60 members were
present for this meeting.
After a brief discussion it was decided to found a
organization with the name “Satya shodhak Samaj” meaning a truth seeker society
. This was the first ever movement which was started for the cause of common
people . Jyotiba Phule was appointed as president of the organization .
Satyashodhak samaj was not for any particular section of the
society . It was founded the aware the neglected and down ridden people of society.
This society undermined the importance of the Brahmin in the society .Samaj had
used various methods to spread their ideology to the remotest villages. They
aware people with the help of traditional folk theatres , Tamasha , Kirtan etc
Some notable works of Satyashodhak samaj
1) Samaj had organized various campaigns in the villages
explaining them the true values of religion. They also encourage them to do any
religious works without inviting Brahmins.
They also tried to teach the values of equality and fraternity .
Samaj was also against the idol worship, astrology , Black
magic.
Samaj laid great importance on the education. Mahatma Phule
organized scholarship campaigns for needy students helping them in overcoming
the financial difficulties .
Samaj had also organized a campaign for conducting marriage
ceremonies without any priest . In this way Samaj had tried to undermine the
importance of the Brahmin –Purohit in the society .
In 1877 Samaj had opened Balashram( Child home centre) for
the children of draught affected people.
The works done by Mahatma Phule and the Satyashodhak samaj
became inspiration for the other bahujan movements in different part s of
India. B R Ambedkar considered Mahatma Phule as one of his Guru.
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