Context:
The Prime Minister addressed the International Arya Mahasammelan 2025 in New Delhi, highlighting Arya Samaj’s 150-year legacy in social reform, education, and Vedic thought. He also urged Arya Samaj to support the Gyan Bharatam Mission, focusing on digitisation of ancient manuscripts and engaging youth in preserving India’s knowledge heritage.
Key Highlights:
About Arya Samaj:
• Founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 at Bombay (Mumbai).
• Its ten principles were later finalised in Lahore (1877).
• Rooted in the belief in the infallible authority of the Vedas.
• Emphasised rationality, reform, and return to original Vedic values.
Slogan and Motto:
• Slogan: “Back to the Vedas”
• Motto: “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” (Meaning: “Let us ennoble the world”)
Core Philosophy:
• Belief in one God and truth-seeking.
• Rejected blind faith and superstition.
• Promoted a religion based on reason, morality, and Vedic knowledge.
Major Reforms by Arya Samaj:
Religious Reforms:
• Rejected:
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Idol worship
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Ritualism and superstition
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Priestly dominance
• Promoted direct and rational understanding of religion.
Social Reforms:
• Opposed:
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Caste by birth
-
Untouchability
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Child marriage
-
Forced widowhood
• Supported: -
Inter-caste marriage
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Widow remarriage
-
Women’s education
-
Social service and equality
Educational Reforms:
• Established institutions like:
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DAV Schools (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic)
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Gurukul Kangri
• Aimed to blend: -
Vedic knowledge
-
Modern science and education
• Helped promote nationalism and social mobility.
Role in Indian Nationalism and Social Change:
• Arya Samaj played a major role in awakening national pride.
• Promoted Swadeshi and reformist nationalism.
• Contributed to freedom movement through leaders like:
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Lala Lajpat Rai
-
Bhagat Singh (and other reform-linked revolutionaries)
• Strengthened anti-colonial sentiment through education and social reform.
Contemporary Relevance of Arya Samaj:
Women-Led Progress:
• Early support for women empowerment aligns with initiatives like:
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Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
-
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
-
Drone Didis
Educational Reform & Gurukul Revival:
• Arya Samaj revived the Gurukul system while integrating modern learning.
• Parallels National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which stresses:
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Value-based education
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Character building
-
Indian knowledge systems
Vedic Ideals with Global Vision:
• Motto reflects India’s idea of progress for global welfare.
• Resonates with modern initiatives such as:
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Mission LiFE
-
One Sun One World One Grid
-
International Yoga Day
Gyan Bharatam Mission:
• PM urged Arya Samaj to contribute to:
-
Digitisation of ancient manuscripts
-
Youth engagement in knowledge preservation
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Arya Samaj founded: 1875, Bombay.
• Founder: Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
• Ten principles finalised: Lahore (1877).
• Slogan: “Back to the Vedas”.
• Motto: “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam”.
• Religious reforms: Anti-idol worship, anti-ritualism, one God.
• Social reforms: Opposed untouchability, caste by birth, child marriage.
• Educational contribution: DAV schools, Gurukul Kangri.
Issue & Causes (Historical Background):
• Social evils like caste discrimination and superstition.
• Colonial-era need for cultural revival and reform.
Benefits/Impact:
• Modern education expansion.
• Strengthened social justice reforms.
• Inspired nationalist consciousness.
Challenges/Limitations:
• Faced resistance from orthodox groups.
• Reform movements often struggled to spread uniformly across India.
Relevant Mains Points:
Arya Samaj as a Socio-Religious Reform Movement:
• Part of India’s 19th-century reform awakening along with Brahmo Samaj, Aligarh movement, etc.
• Promoted rationalism and reform-based reinterpretation of religion.
Contribution to Social Justice:
• Challenged caste rigidity and promoted equality.
• Advocated women empowerment through education and remarriage reforms.
Role in Nationalism:
• Education-based awakening contributed to freedom struggle.
• Swadeshi spirit promoted through cultural pride and self-reliance.
Relevance in Modern Governance Themes:
• Supports constitutional ideals of:
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Equality
-
Social reform
-
Human dignity
• Aligns with NEP 2020 emphasis on Indian knowledge systems.
• Women empowerment vision supports inclusive development.
Way Forward:
• Promote digitisation and revival of Indian manuscripts through Gyan Bharatam Mission.
• Encourage youth participation in cultural preservation.
• Strengthen value-based education and social reform awareness.
• Use Arya Samaj ideals to support modern goals of:
-
Gender equality
-
Social harmony
-
Sustainable living (Mission LiFE)
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
• GS Paper I: Modern Indian history, socio-religious reform movements.
• GS Paper II: Women empowerment, education reforms.
• GS Paper III: Cultural revival, sustainable lifestyle initiatives.
• Prelims: Arya Samaj facts, founder, motto, reforms, DAV institutions.
• Essay: Social reform movements and India’s cultural renaissance.