Topic: Counter-Reform Movements (ప్రతిసంస్కరణ ఉద్యమాలు) in Hinduism

 

Topic: Counter-Reform Movements (ప్రతిసంస్కరణ ఉద్యమాలు) in Hinduism

Context:

• Follows lectures on various Hindu Reform Movements (SRRM).

• These movements opposed the reforms advocated by groups like Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj.

• Aim: To defend and preserve traditional Hindu practices (Sanatana Hindu Dharma - సనాతన హిందూ మతం) against perceived changes or attacks.

1. Dharma Sabha (ధర్మసభ)

• Founder: Radha Kanta Deb (రాధాకాంత్ దేబ్).

• Year Founded: 1830.

• Place Founded: Calcutta (కలకత్తా).

• Primary Reason/Trigger: Opposition to the 1829 Abolition of Sati Act (సతి నిషేధం) passed by Lord William Bentinck (influenced by Raja Ram Mohan Roy).

• Stance: Supported the practice of Sati, viewing its abolition as interference in Hindu religion.

• Key Actions:

  • Appealed against the Sati ban to the Privy Council in London (లండన్ ప్రివి కౌన్సిల్).

    • Outcome: The appeal was rejected, and the Sati ban was upheld.

  • Also opposed the 1856 Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (వితంతు పునర్వివాహం), which was championed by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

• Newspaper: Samachar Chandrika (సమాచార చంద్రిక).

  • Purpose: Launched as a counter to Raja Ram Mohan Roy's Samvad Kaumudi (సంవాద కౌముది).

  • Content: Defended Sati, arguing it was supported by ancient scriptures (contrary to Ram Mohan Roy's interpretation).

  • Editor: Bhabani Charan Bandopadhyay (భబాని చరణ్ బందోపాధ్యాయ).

• Overall Goal: To counter the influence of Brahmo Samaj and defend orthodox Hindu practices.

2. Bharat Dharma Mahamandal (భారత ధర్మ మహామండలి)

• Founder: Pandit Din Dayal Sharma (దీన్ దయాళ్ శర్మ).

• Year Founded: 1887.

• Place Founded: Haridwar (హరిద్వార్).

• Primary Reason/Trigger: Opposition to the Arya Samaj (ఆర్య సమాజ్) and its teachings.

• Stance: Defended traditional/orthodox Hindu beliefs and practices that Arya Samaj rejected (e.g., affirming the importance of Vedangas, Upanishads, etc., which Arya Samaj downplayed in favour of only the Vedas).

• Nature: An umbrella organization aiming to unite various orthodox/Sanatana groups across India.

• Merger/Consolidation (1902):

  • Several orthodox organizations merged under this banner.

    • Sanatana Hindu Dharma Sabha (సనాతన హిందూ ధర్మసభ).

    • Dharma Mahamandali (ధర్మ మహామండలి) - Bengal.

    • Dharma Mahaparishad (ధర్మ మహాపరిషత్) - South India.

  • Headquarters shifted to Varanasi (వారణాసి) after the merger.

• Key Member: Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (పండిట్ మదన్ మోహన్ మాలవ్య) was associated with this movement.

  • Connection: Malaviya later founded the Hindu Mahasabha (1915) and Banaras Hindu University (1916). His involvement highlights the link between orthodox religious sentiment and emerging Hindu nationalism.

Speaker's Question:

• The speaker poses a question related to the 1856 Widow Remarriage Act: Who was the Governor-General when the act was implemented?

  • Options mentioned: Lord Dalhousie, William Bentinck, Lord Canning, Warren Hastings.

  • (Note: Dalhousie initiated/drafted it, but Canning was GG when it was passed/implemented).

Next Topic:

• The lecture series will move on to Muslim Religious Reform Movements.