Social reforms

Definition

• According to Ghanshyam Shah, social reform movements aim to bring about "desired changes" within the existing social structure.

• M.S.S. Pandian defines social reform movements as efforts to change the social structure and practices in 19th and 20th-century India.

Background

• Social Reform Movements acted as important agents of social change in India, leading to modernization and secularization.

• They challenged social evils and regressive traditions, while laying the groundwork for Indian nationalism.

Social Base of the Movements

1. Upper-caste, Educated Elite

   • Inspired by Western education and ideas.

   • Leaders: Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

2. Lower Castes and Marginalized Groups

   • Driven by the experience of caste discrimination and social exclusion.

   • Leaders: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule.

3. Women

   • Focused on resisting oppression and demanding education and rights.

   • Leaders: Pandita Ramabai, Sarojini Naidu.

4. Urban Middle Class

   • Exposed to Western liberal ideas, played a pivotal role.

   • Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru.

5. Religious Leaders

   • Used religious authority to push social change.

   • Leaders: Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda.

Objectives of the Social Reform Movements

• Abolition of Caste-based Discrimination

  • Led by Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

• Empowerment of Women

  • Advocated by Pandita Ramabai, Sarojini Naidu.

• Promotion of Education

  • Focused on marginalized groups.

  • Pioneer: Raja Rammohan Roy.

• Abolition of Child Marriage

  • Led by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

• Abolition of Untouchability and Promotion of Social Harmony

  • Advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel.

• Abolition of Sati

  • Campaign led by Raja Rammohan Roy; banned in 1829.

• Independence from Colonialism

  • Reformers later became nationalists fighting British rule.

Contribution of Social Reform Movements

1. Social and Political Change

   • Strengthened national consciousness.

   • Example: Formation of Indian National Congress (1885).

2. Promotion of Rationalism and Ethics

   • Brahmo Samaj, Theosophical Society emphasized reason over blind faith.

3. Revival of Cultural Heritage

   • Arya Samaj promoted Vedic heritage to unify Indians.

4. Expansion of Education

   • Establishment of schools and colleges, especially for women and marginalized groups.

5. Challenge to Caste System and Gender Discrimination

   • Promoted the idea of equality irrespective of caste, creed, or gender.

6. Influence on Indian National Movement

   • Reformers transitioned into nationalist leaders and shaped India's freedom struggle.

7. Revival of Hinduism as Rational Religion

   • Moves toward ethical monotheism and personal religious experience.

Campaign Against Discrimination

• Gender Equality: Opposition to women's oppression, Sati, child marriage.

• Attack on Caste System: Rejected caste-based hereditary social stratification.

• Promotion of Co-existence: Encouraged coexistence of multiple religions and cultures with equality.

Sociological Perspectives on Social Reform Movements in Colonial India

1. Structural Functionalist Perspective

• Society as a System:
  Society is seen as a complex system of interrelated parts working to maintain stability and balance.

• Social Reforms to Address Dysfunctions:
  Reforms targeted dysfunctions in institutions like family, religion, and caste.

• Modernization through Reform:
  Movements acted as adaptive mechanisms to cope with social and economic changes under colonialism.

  • Example: Indian National Congress (1885) promoted education, democracy, and nationalism ideals.

• Functional and Harmonious Society:
  Addressed issues like caste discrimination and subjugation of women to create societal harmony.

  • Example: Widow Remarriage Act (1856) to address widows’ marginalization.

• Equal Distribution of Power:
  Movements promoted more equitable resource and power distribution.

  • Example: Brahmo Samaj and Prarthana Samaj opposed caste divisions and promoted social equality.

• Criticisms:

  • Neglect of Conflict: Underplays role of colonialism and class struggles.

  • Over-optimism: Ignores persistence of inequality (e.g., caste discrimination still persists despite reforms).

2. Marxist Perspective (Conflict Perspective)

• Society as a Field of Class Conflict:
  Social change arises from conflicts between classes with divergent interests.

• Economic Exploitation:
  Reform movements responded to working-class exploitation by capitalists and colonial rulers.

  • Example: Mobilization of farmers and workers against British rule.

• Class Struggle and Consciousness:
  Movements fostered unity among oppressed groups against capitalist exploitation.

• Imperialism Critique:
  Movements challenged foreign capitalist domination under colonial rule.

• Dialectical Materialism:
  Movements aimed to overthrow colonial structures for a socialist transformation.

• Ideological Control:
  Some movements (like Indian National Congress) were criticized (e.g., by Desai) as tools for capitalist classes to manage working-class discontent under the illusion of freedom.

3. Feminist Perspective

• Patriarchy and Gendered Oppression:
  Reforms challenged patriarchal norms restricting women’s rights.

• Fighting Gender-based Discrimination:
  Addressed inequalities in education, employment, property rights.

  • Example: Women's Indian Association advocated legal and social reforms for women.

• Colonial Intersectionality:
  Women resisted both colonial and patriarchal oppression simultaneously.

  • Example: Indian Women’s Suffrage Movement fought against dual exclusions.

• Inter-sectionality Focus:
  Highlighted struggles of marginalized women (caste, class, ethnicity, religion).

  • Example: All India Women’s Conference worked across communities.

• Women’s Activism:
  Enabled active public participation through protests and organizing.

  • Example: Participation in public rallies challenged norms limiting women's mobility.

4. Interactionist Perspective

• Social Construction of New Norms:
  Movements created new social meanings and challenged old norms.

  • Example: Caste reform movements advocated equality and justice.

• Symbolic Interaction and Meaning-Making:
  Used speeches, pamphlets, slogans to build shared meanings.

  • Example: Anti-untouchability movements.

• Role Redefinition and Identity Formation:
  Individuals redefined societal roles, especially of women.

  • Example: Sati abolition movements portrayed women as autonomous beings.

• Collective Action at Micro Level:
  Emphasized the role of individual and small group efforts.

  • Example: Anti-child marriage movements engaged grassroots mobilization.

• Individual Meaning Attribution:
  Different participants joined movements for different reasons: escaping caste oppression, seeking spiritual fulfillment, leadership ambitions, financial security, or basic survival.

• Reciprocal Social Influence:
  Not only does society shape individuals, but individuals shape society.

  • Examples:

    • Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj)

    • Radhakant Deb (Prarthana Samaj)

    • Jyotiba Phule (Satyashodhak Samaj)