From time to time in India, many social reformers worked for the upliftment of the society. But the basic difference between them and Maharshi Dayanand was that Maharshi Dayanand stood against the hypocrisy and evil practices going on in the name of religion and presented an accurate picture of religion by giving accurate evidence from the scriptures. He also propounded the true and simple form of religion. As a result, the people enthusiastically accepted the reforms of Maharshi Dayanand and the revolution of reforms swept through the people of India, and gave them a base and shelter to stand by their true religion against all odds. After Maharshi Dayanand, his followers carried forward his work of social reform.

1. ShankhNaad (Conch sound) – Uproar against casteism
   Maharshi Dayanand opposed the casteism prevalent in India at every level. Maharshi Dayanand proved by giving many evidences and arguments that these prevalent systems of castes by birth have no authenticity nor is there any mention of them in any of the scriptures. The caste system based on birth is against the Vedas, hence it should be completely abandoned. He said that the caste system based on qualities, intellect, temperament, actions and nature only conforms to the Vedic ideology.
   • Everyone has the right to read Vedas
     Selfish people had banned Shudras (lower castes) from reading the Vedas. Maharshi Dayanand declared that to study the Vedas, is the birthright of every human being.
   • Right to equality
     Maharshi said that all human beings should have equal rights without any discrimination. A person cannot be high or low on the basis of birth.
   • Eradication of Untouchability
     Maharshi Dayanand strongly opposed untouchability on the basis of birth.
   • Inter-Caste marriage
     Maharshi Dayanand called upon all Hindus to break caste barriers and marry among themselves (Inter-caste).
2. Women Empowerment
   On one hand, women were described as worthy of worship in the scriptures, while on the other hand, the status of women was as low as that of a footwear. By dissolving all rights of women, selfish people had made their condition worse than that of animals. On one hand, Maharshi Dayanand opposed the acts of exploitation prevalent in the society and on the other hand, he also gave women their birthrights.
   • Right to equality
     On the basis of the evidence from the Vedic Scriptures, Swami Dayanand advocated that men and women have equal status. No one is high or low among them.
   • Women have the right to wear Yagyopaveet- the sacred thread.
     Maharshi Dayanand proved by giving evidence from the scriptures that Yagyopaveet is a sign of knowledge and there are descriptions of many learned women in history. Therefore, like men, women also have equal right to wear Yagyopaveet.
   • Women’s right to education
     To keep women helpless, egocentric people had restricted women from their right to education. Some social reformers had opened one or two schools for girls. But education was nearly impossible for most women. In such a situation, Maharshi Dayanand gave women equal rights to education.
   • Women’s right to read Vedas
     Some egoistic people of society had banned women from reading the Vedas. Maharshi Dayanand declared that reading/ studying of the Vedas is the birthright of every human being including women.
   • Child marriage
     At a time when small children were taken in their lap and got married, during that period, Maharshi Dayanand was the first one to declare the minimum age for marriage (25 years for boys and 16 years for girls).
   • Polygamy
     Men used to marry many women and thus they suffered many a miseries. Maharshi Dayanand said that a man and a woman should marry only once at a time- citing evidence from the Vedic scriptures.
   • Swayamvar (Self selection of Life Partner)
     Girls were given away in marriages to anyone without asking their consent- like animals. Maharshi Dayanand revived the ancient tradition of Swayamvar (Self selection of bride/ groom) in which boys and girls got the right to choose their life partner as per their choice.
   • Widow Remarriage
     Although some social reformers had already initiated the work of widow remarriage, but there was not much acceptance among the general public. Maharshi Dayanand reworked on widow remarriages and got it accepted in the society.
   • Sati Practice
     Although some social reformers had already initiated the work of opposing the practice of Sati and the British had also passed a law to abolish the practice of Sati, but it continued among the common people. Maharshi Dayanand also raised his voice to stop the practice of Sati (Pratha).
   • Purdah system
     Due to the influence of foreign invaders, Hindus also started keeping their women veiled, whereas there is no such description in Aryan history. Maharshi Dayanand opposed this and freed the women folk from it.
   • Devadasi system
     The hypocrites had evolved a method of exploitation of women in the form of Devdasi system. In this, small girls were married to idols. Later on they were exploited. Maharshi Dayanand strongly denounced this tradition.
   • Prostitution
     Prostitution is promoted in the society by men having relations with prostitutes. Due to this, adultery spreads in the society and new/ young women were pushed into prostitution. Maharshi Dayanand strongly opposed this. Even the Maharaja of Jodhpur was scolded in front of everyone for having relations with a prostitute.
3. Other Social Evils, Superstitions and Hypocrisy
   • Endogamy
     Maharshi Dayanand prohibited marriage within father’s clan and six generations of mother’s family.
   • Mritak Shraddha – Feast for the dead ancestors
     Maharshi Dayanand declared that after the last rites, no rituals remain for the deceased. After death, the soul of the deceased takes birth in a new body, new relationships are formed and no relation remains with the previous births. Therefore, he strongly opposed the practices of Shraddha and feast for the dead.
   • Animal Sacrifice and Human Sacrifice Practice
     Superstitious hypocrites had spread the practice of sacrifice as a religious act by misinterpreting the meaning of Ashwamedha Yagna, Gaumedh Yagna and Narmedh Yagna. Maharshi Dayanand by giving evidence of no such ritual in the scriptures denounced this false propaganda.
   • Gurudam
     Some imposters spread the notion that the status of Guru is higher than that of God. Innocent devotees would leave God and remain busy in serving and caring for the Guru. Maharshi Dayanand refuted this. He said that God is the Guru of all the Gurus. There can never be a Guru equal to the Almighty God who creates, maintains and destroys the universe. God is supreme.
   • Burying Dead Bodies or Dumping them in the River
     Maharshi Dayanand opposed the practices of burying dead bodies or dumping them in the river and pointed out the harm they cause to the environment. He explained the benefits of cremating the dead body and declared it to be the best method.
   • Burying Dead Children
     Maharshi Dayanand opposed the practice of burying the dead bodies of children and said that it was appropriate to cremate these dead bodies as well.
   • Prohibition of Sea Travel or going abroad
     It was spread by some hypocrites that traveling by sea or going abroad is against religion. Maharshi Dayanand refuted this and proved with the help of historical examples that even in the past, sea and foreign travels had been taking place. Marriages and business with girls from foreign countries are live examples of this.
   • Bhoot, Pret, Pishach, Dakini, Witch, Magic, Sorcery, Miracle
     Maharshi Dayanand stood against and denounced all superstitions prevalent in the society.
   • Non-vegetarianism
     Maharshi Dayanand strongly opposed non-vegetarian food and explained that vegetarian is the only food for the humans.
   • Drug Addiction
     Maharshi Dayanand strongly opposed all types of intoxication. He declared the practice of taking drugs in the name of religious activities as unrighteous. According to him, medicinal use of herbs is appropriate but their use for intoxication is completely inappropriate.