Mahamana as a Social Reformer

The Emancipation of Women

Malaviyaji's other area of social work was women's emancipation. In his speech in the Congress Session of 1918, he said: "Women also should work for the country and its welfare… Till the time they cannot take a lead, the country cannot progress". He believed that women's education was pivotal to the welfare of a family and for any social reform.

In this connection, Malaviyaji's convocation address (1929) in B.H.U. campus can also be referred to where he outlined the importance of higher education for women of India. Noting the conservative practices in the northern part of India, he opened a separate Women's College in the B.H.U. campus in 1928, for undergraduate courses in the disciplines of the arts, sciences and humanities. He also encouraged women to take admission in other advanced courses. He was against child marriage and was in favour of widow remarriage.

Apart from these, he was keen that women should be treated with full respect in society. Malaviyaji used to be moved at the sight of women in distress. Once at Amritsar, a deputation of Muslim women in burka met him and narrated their frustration because their husbands had been convicted for the murder and looting Hindus. Much against the wishes of the local Hindu leaders, Malaviyaji agreed to give them financial help and said: "Why should the women be punished for the crime of their husbands?"

In 1930, when he came out of the Arthur Road jail in Bombay, Malaviyaji addressed a huge gathering of 50,000 women. He exhorted them to be brave and fearless and to practise self-defense to safeguard their honour in moments of danger.

Indentured Labour

Malaviyaji's sympathies were not restricted to Indians living within the country; they extended even to Indians living outside the country. His attention was drawn to the unmitigated evil conditions of the indentured labourers working in British colonies outside India. He spoke extensively on the subject in the council and said:

"The system has wrought enough moral havoc during 75 years. We cannot think without intense pain and humiliation, of the blasted lives of its victims, of the strength of soul to which our numerous brothers and sisters have been subjected by this system. It is high time that this should be abolished."