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Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde
Another editor has added the "prod" template to the article Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde, suggesting that it be deleted according to the proposed deletion process. All contributions are appreciated, but the editor doesn't believe it satisfies Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion, and has explained why in the article (see also What Wikipedia is not and Notability). Please either work to improve the article if the topic is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia or discuss the relevant issues at its talk page. If you remove the prod template, the article will not be deleted, but note that it may still be sent to Articles for deletion, where it may be deleted if consensus to delete is reached. BJBot (talk) 20:14, 6 January 2008 (UTC) Following is an article about, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde (1873-1944), one of the most important social and religious reformers in Maharashtra, India. His greatest contribution was to remove the practice of untouchability and bring about equality to the depressed classes in the Indian society. Purpose of this article is to acquaint readers about the liberal thoughts and reforms in India, prior to its independence.

This article is based mainly on the following sources: Vitthal Ramji Shinde, An Assessment of his Contribution (book in English language) By M.S.Gore 1989 Published by, Tata Institute of social sciences, Bombay, India

Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Jeevan wa Karya (life and work), (book in Marathi language) By, Dr. G.M. Pawar 2004 Mumbai (Bombay), India ISBN 81-88284-37-8

Mahrshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde

Mahrshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was born on April 23, 1873 in the princely state of Jamkhandi in Karnatka, India. He was born in the Marathi speaking Maharashtrian family. His early childhood was influenced by liberal family environment. The family friends and acquaintances came from all religions and casts. He was brought up to think that the religion was not just a matter of a blind faith and meaningless rituals or pujas, but to get personally and emotionally involved in the service of God.

He was influenced by the writings of many intellectuals such as, Hari Narayan Apte, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, John Stuart Mills, Herbert Spencer, and Max Mueller. In 1898 he obtained B.A. Degree from the Ferguson College at Pune, India. He had also studied and passed the first year law and moved to Mumbai (Bombay) for LL.B. examination, however gave up this course in order to attend to other compelling callings in his life. This same year he joined the Prarthana Samaj, Where he was further inspired and influenced by G.B. Kotkar, Shivrampant Gokhle, Justice Ranade, R.G. Bhandarkar and K.B. Marathe and became its missionary.

The Prarthana Samaj selected him, to go to England in 1901, to study comparative religion at the Manchester College, founded by the Unitarian Church, at Oxford University. Maharaja Sahyajirao Gaikwad, of Baroda (a progressive and reformist in his own rights) provided some financial help for his travels abroad.

After returning from England in 1903 he devoted his life to religious and social reforms. He continued his missionary work of the Prarthana Samaj. His efforts were devoted mainly to the removal of Untouchability in India.

In 1905 he established a night school for the children of untouchable in Pune.

In 1906 he established the Depressed Classes Mission in Mumbai (Bombay). In 1922 the mission’s Ahalyashram building was competed at Pune.

In 1917 he succeeded in getting the Indian National Congress to pass a resolution condemning the practice of untouchability.

From 1918 to 1920, He went on to convening the all India untouchability removal conferences. Some of these conferences were convened under the president-ship of Mahatma Gandhi and Maharaja Sahyajirao Gaikwad. His written communications with the Mahatmaji is noteworthy.

In 1919 he gave evidence before the South borough Commission, asking for the special representation for the untouchable casts.

In 1923 he resigned as the executive of the Depressed Classes Mission since some of the members of the untouchable castes wanted its own leaders to manage the mission’s affairs.

His work and association with the Mission continued even though disappointed by the Separatist attitude of the leaders of the untouchables, especially under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Like the Mahatma Gandhi, He wanted unity amongst the Harijans (untouchables) and the caste Hindus and feared that the British rule will take advantage of such divisions within the Indian society. In 1930 he participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement of Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned for 6 months of hard labor, in the Yerawda prison near Pune.

In 1933 his book “Bhartiya Asprushyatecha Prashna” (India’s untouchability question) was published.

His thoughts and examination of the Hindu religion and social culture were similar to Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Dayananda Saraswati. He has written extensively about it where he rejects cast system, Idol worship, inequities against woman & depressed classes. He rejected meaningless rituals, rejected the dominance of hereditary priesthood and the need for a priest to mediate between God and his devotees.

Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde expired on January 2, 1944

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