Religion and Social Reformers

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Swami Keshawanand- Born at village Magloona in Sikar district of present-day Rajasthan in 1883, Swamiji, whose actual name was Birama, was the son of Thakarsi, a penurious camel-driver, and his wife Saran. The famine of 1899 forced the 16-year-old Birama to leave the desert region and move to Punjab in search of livelihood. Circumstances had induced in him an ineffable spiritual quest. He approached Mahant Kushaldas of the Udasin sect, to whom he expressed the desire to learn Sanskrit, to be able to study the higher Hindu scriptures from primary sources. Noting that Birama belonged to the Jat caste, which was barred from Learning Sanskrit, On Mahant’s advice he became a Sanyasi and in 1905 Kumbh Mela, He was conferred with the title of Swami Keshawanand by Mahatma Hirandji Avadhut.

The Jalianwalla Bagh Massacre of 1919, which caused a profound impact on the collective psyche of the Punjab, left Swami Keshawanand profoundly moved. He started attending the meetings of the Indian National Congress, joined the Indian Independence Movement under the Leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, and participated in the non-co-operation movement, for which was imprisoned for two years (1921–1922) at Ferozepur. In 1930, he was given charge of Congress activities in Ferozepur district. He was again arrested the same year, but was soon released pursuant to the Gandhi-Irwin pact.

Royal Services (eg. State Police, Princely State Army,etc.)

Hanuman Singh Budania – . He was in police service of princely state of Bikaner. He was sympathetic to the people who did conspiracy against the state. This fact came to the notice of Bikaner Maharaja and he was warned on this. He left the police services of Bikaner state in 1942 to take part in the struggle for independence and joined Bikaner Rajya Praja Parishad. He spread the message of freedom movement from village to villages and made villagers member of this Parishad. . Maharaja enticed him by offering hundred murabas (irrigated land), but he refused. During the same period there was a conference of the Indian Praja Parishads going on in Udaipur, chaired by Jawahar Lal Nehru. Hanuman Singh Budania approached Pandit Nehru and told every thing to him.

In 1947 the farmer’s movement for freedom and abolition of Jagirs was in full swing. He was arrested along with 8000 participating farmers and left in unknown forest. Later he was arrested and punished with hard imprisonment for one year. To enhance the hardships in jail, snakes were left in his room. He was released only after India got freedom in 1947.

Gurjars

• Vijay Singh Pathik alias Bhoop Singh Gurjar- This man initiated Satyagraha much before Mahatma Gandhi. He joined revolutionary organisation in his teenage and took active part against British rule in India. Pathikji’s non-cooperation movement was so successful that Lokmanya Tilak wrote a letter to Maharana Fateh Singh to meet the demand of the Bijoliya agitators. Mahatma Gandhi sent his secretary Mahadev Desai to study the movement.
• It was Pathikji who fought for the cause of united Rajasthan and had taken up the issue with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. He was jailed for having led the Kisan agitation in Bijoliya. The Kisan Panchayat, Mahila Mandal and Yuvak Mandal invited Pathik to come and lead them.Women of Mewar started to get respect from their folk men. Pathik made people feel that women and men Equality is necessary to develop a prosperous Society.

Unification of Rajasthan in seven stages

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Religion has played a significant role in social reform throughout history. Religious leaders have often been at the forefront of movements for Social Change, using their faith to motivate and inspire others to fight for Justice.

One of the most famous examples of religion and social reform is the abolition of slavery in the United States. Many of the early abolitionists were religious leaders, who believed that slavery was a sin against God. They used their sermons and writings to denounce slavery and to call for its end.

Another example of religion and social reform is the women’s suffrage movement. Many of the early suffragists were religious women, who believed that women should have the right to vote. They used their faith to justify their demands for equality, and they often drew on religious imagery and symbolism in their speeches and writings.

Religion has also been a powerful force for social change in other areas, such as Education, POVERTY relief, and environmental protection. Religious leaders have often been at the forefront of these movements, using their faith to motivate and inspire others to work for a better world.

Of course, religion has also been used to justify oppression and violence. Throughout history, religious leaders have used their power to justify slavery, genocide, and other forms of injustice. However, it is important to remember that religion is not inherently good or evil. It is a tool that can be used for both positive and negative purposes.

In the end, it is up to each individual to decide how they will use their religion. Will they use it to promote love, justice, and compassion? Or will they use it to justify hatred, violence, and oppression? The choice is ours.

Here are some specific examples of how religion has been used for social reform:

• In the 19th century, many religious leaders in the United States were involved in the abolitionist movement. They argued that slavery was a sin against God and that it was morally wrong to hold other human beings in bondage.
• In the early 20th century, many religious leaders were involved in the women’s suffrage movement. They argued that women should have the right to vote, just like men. They used their faith to justify their demands for equality, and they often drew on religious imagery and symbolism in their speeches and writings.
• In the 20th century, many religious leaders were involved in the civil rights movement. They argued that segregation and discrimination were wrong, and that all people should be treated equally, regardless of their race or skin color.
• In the 21st century, many religious leaders are involved in the fight against poverty and hunger. They argue that everyone has the right to food, water, and shelter, and that we have a moral obligation to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

These are just a few examples of how religion has been used for social reform throughout history. Religion can be a powerful force for good in the world, and it can be used to promote justice, equality, and compassion.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about religion and social reformers:

• What is religion?
  Religion is a system of beliefs that helps people understand the world around them and their place in it. It can provide comfort and guidance, and it can also be a source of conflict and division.

• What is a social reformer?
  A social reformer is someone who works to improve the lives of others, often by addressing social problems such as poverty, inequality, and injustice. Social reformers may work through government, non-profit organizations, or other channels to bring about change.

• What are some examples of religious social reformers?
  Some examples of religious social reformers include Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. These individuals all worked to improve the lives of others through their religious beliefs.

• What are some of the challenges faced by religious social reformers?
  Religious social reformers often face challenges from both within and outside their religious communities. Within their communities, they may be criticized for their views or for their methods of working for change. Outside their communities, they may be met with hostility or even violence.

• What are some of the successes of religious social reformers?
  Religious social reformers have achieved many successes in their work. They have helped to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. They have also helped to raise awareness of important social issues and to bring about positive change.

• What are some of the future challenges facing religious social reformers?
  Religious social reformers will continue to face challenges in the future. The world is becoming increasingly complex, and social problems are becoming more difficult to solve. Religious social reformers will need to be creative and innovative in their work, and they will need to be prepared to face opposition.

• What are some of the future opportunities for religious social reformers?
  There are many opportunities for religious social reformers in the future. The world is changing, and there is a growing need for people who are willing to work for positive change. Religious social reformers can play a vital role in addressing the challenges of the future.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Religion and Social Reformers:

1. Which of the following is not a social reform movement?
   (A) The Civil Rights Movement
   (B) The Women’s Rights Movement
   (C) The Environmental Movement
   (D) The Religious Reform Movement

2. Who was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement?
   (A) Martin Luther King, Jr.
   (B) Mahatma Gandhi
   (C) Nelson Mandela
   (D) Rosa Parks

3. What was the goal of the Women’s Rights Movement?
   (A) To gain the right to vote for women
   (B) To end discrimination against women
   (C) To improve the status of women in society
   (D) All of the above

4. What was the goal of the Environmental Movement?
   (A) To protect the Environment
   (B) To reduce pollution
   (C) To conserve natural Resources
   (D) All of the above

5. Who was the leader of the Environmental Movement?
   (A) Rachel Carson
   (B) John Muir
   (C) Aldo Leopold
   (D) David Brower

6. What was the goal of the Religious Reform Movement?
   (A) To reform religion
   (B) To make religion more relevant to modern life
   (C) To make religion more inclusive
   (D) All of the above

7. Who was the leader of the Religious Reform Movement?
   (A) Martin Luther
   (B) John Calvin
   (C) John Wesley
   (D) Mary Baker Eddy

8. What was the impact of the Civil Rights Movement?
   (A) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed
   (B) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed
   (C) The Equal EMPLOYMENT Opportunity Commission was established
   (D) All of the above

9. What was the impact of the Women’s Rights Movement?
   (A) The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed
   (B) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed
   (C) The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 was passed
   (D) All of the above

10. What was the impact of the Environmental Movement?
    (A) The Clean Air Act of 1970 was passed
    (B) The Clean Water Act of 1972 was passed
    (C) The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was passed
    (D) All of the above

11. What was the impact of the Religious Reform Movement?
    (A) The Protestant Reformation occurred
    (B) The Catholic Reformation occurred
    (C) The Protestant Enlightenment occurred
    (D) The Catholic Enlightenment occurred

12. What is the difference between a social reform movement and a religious reform movement?
    (A) A social reform movement is concerned with improving the lives of people in society, while a religious reform movement is concerned with reforming religion.
    (B) A social reform movement is secular, while a religious reform movement is religious.
    (C) A social reform movement is peaceful, while a religious reform movement is often violent.
    (D) All of the above

13. What are some of the challenges that social reform movements face?
    (A) They often face opposition from those who benefit from the status quo.
    (B) They often lack resources.
    (C) They often lack public support.
    (D) All of the above

14. What are some of the successes that social reform movements have achieved?
    (A) They have improved the lives of millions of people.
    (B) They have changed laws and policies.
    (C) They have raised awareness of important issues.
    (D) All of the above

15. What is the importance of social reform movements?
    (A) They help to make society more just and equitable.
    (B) They help to protect the rights of individuals and groups.
    (C) They help to promote social change.
    (D) All of the above