Talk:Who is a Social Reformer

By Vishal Agarwal

Hindu dharm is the world’s oldest spiritual tradition, without a single known human founder. It was already ancient when the Buddha lived more than 2500 years ago. Hindus believe that dharm is eternal, though its practices adapt with time.

Like a river that begins pure from a glacier but may collect impurities along its course, Hindu society too accumulated some unhealthy customs over centuries. From time to time, Ṛṣis and Sants opposed such practices, reminding people of true dharm. Thanks to their courage, many social evils were uprooted. Those who purify society in this way are called “reformers.”

By 1700 C.E., the following social evils had appeared in some Hindu communities across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Laṅkā:

1. Satī: In some communities, a widow was expected to cremate herself on her husband’s pyre. Though very rare (fewer than 1 in 1000), some women believed this was dharmic. Yet, most scholars opposed it, saying no one has the right to destroy the body given by Bhagavān. Swāmī Sahajānanada in Gujarāt and the Peshwā rulers opposed it long before the British banned it in 1828 C.E.

2. Discrimination against “lower castes”: Originally, professions like teaching, farming, or trading were meant as specializations, not birth-based divisions. Over time, however, these became hereditary, and some communities faced discrimination, even being denied temple entry or scripture study. Reformers reminded society that śāstras grant equal rights to all. Today, such discrimination is outlawed in India and Nepal.

3. Women’s illiteracy: Vedic history mentions many Ṛṣikās—women seers and scholars. Yet later, narrow views restricted women to household work, denying them scriptural learning or priesthood. Reformers like Swāmī Dayānanda Sarasvatī proved from the Vedas that women may study and teach. He and his followers established schools for women, many of which continue today.

4. The plight of widows: Ancient Hindu law permitted widow remarriage, but later social practice denied it. Men could remarry, while widows faced lifelong loneliness. Reformers like Paṇḍit Īśvaracandra Vidyāsāgara and Mahārṣi Karve fought for widow remarriage, citing Vedic sanction. Karve himself married a widow to set an example.

5. Female infanticide: In some communities, daughters were devalued compared to sons, and a few parents resorted to infanticide. Reformers condemned this as murder, teaching that Bhagavān would never forgive it. Though not unique to Hindus, and still seen in countries like Pakistan and China, the practice is now outlawed in India.

6. Superstitions: Some Hindus relied on untrained faith-healers rather than Ayurveda or scientific medicine. Reformers like Swāmī Dayānanda Sarasvatī emphasized returning to India’s genuine scientific and dharmic traditions, rejecting blind superstition.

7. Looking down upon physical work: Manual labor came to be despised by some, though Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa taught in the Gītā that no work is lowly, and everyone must perform their duty. Saints and reformers reminded society that dignity lies in effort, not in status.

Thanks to such reformers, many of these evils have either disappeared or are disappearing. Yet, every generation must remain vigilant, spreading the light of dharm so that all people are treated with fairness, dignity, and compassion.

Will you too become a reformer? Which evils in your own society would you like to fight against?