About Arya Samaj
- Founded: In 1875 by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in Bombay.
- Religious Reforms: Denounced idolatry and ritualistic worship, preached respect and reverence for other human beings.
- Believed in infallible authority of Vedas and Swami Dayanand Saraswati gave slogan of ‘Back to Vedas’.
- Social Reforms: Opposed caste as hereditary, untouchability and advocated Vedic education for all castes; against child marriage, forced widowhood and campaigned for women’s education.
- Educational Reforms: E.g. Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) Trust and Management in 1886 to impart scientific and modern education.
- Freedom Movement: Prominent members included freedom fighters such as Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Ram Prasad Bismil, Madan Lal Dhingra, Swami Shraddhanand, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, etc.
Contemporary Relevance of Arya Samaj Principles
- Social Equality: Its opposition to casteism and untouchability echoes India’s constitutional values of equality and justice.
- Gender Empowerment: Advocacy of women’s education and rights aligns with schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
- Education & Rationalism: DAV institutions continue its legacy of scientific and moral education; supports scientific temper under Article 51A (h).
- Other: Ethical living over rituals, aiding interfaith harmony; living in harmony with nature, etc.
