Modern History : Socio-Religious Reform Movements In 19th-Century India
UPSC CSE Prelims 2012
The National Social Conference was established in 1887 by M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao. Its formation was a consequence of the Indian National Congress's decision to primarily focus on political objectives. Many leaders within the Congress believed that incorporating extensive social reform discussions into the main political agenda could dilute the national movement's focus or alienate certain sections of society, thereby weakening the broader nationalist struggle. Consequently, a separate platform was deemed necessary to address pressing social issues such as child marriage, widow remarriage, and caste discrimination, allowing the Congress to concentrate on political aspirations. This body functioned in close association with the Indian National Congress, often meeting concurrently with its annual sessions.
Option 1: This statement is incorrect. The National Social Conference was conceived as a national-level organization, not limited to the Bengal region. Its objective was to consolidate and promote social reform efforts across India, not just a specific region.
Option 3: This statement is incorrect. While M.G. Ranade was a key founder of the National Social Conference, Behramji Malabari was not directly involved in its establishment. Malabari was a prominent social reformer, particularly known for his efforts against child marriage, but he did not co-found this specific organization.
Option 4: This statement is incorrect because option 2 accurately describes the primary reason for the formation of the National Social Conference.