December 23 is the death anniversary of Swami Shraddhanand, a pioneer of Indian culture and nationalism. Born on February 22, 1856 at Talwan village in Jalandhar district in Punjab province, Shraddhanand has left an indelible mark on India’s culture which will continue to inspire future generations.
Shraddhanand was a courageous social reformer who opposed illiteracy, the prevailing caste system, untouchability, and advocated widow remarriage, national unity and integrity. On 4th April, 1919, he delivered a speech on the Hindu Muslim unity from the pulpit of Jama Masjid in Delhi.
To B R Ambedkar, Shraddhanand was ‘the greatest and most sincere champion of the Untouchables”.
In 1923, Swami Shraddhanand founded the Bharatiya Hindu Shuddhi Mahasabha (Indian Hindu Purification Council) with a view to converting the Muslims in the western United Provinces, particularly the Malkana Rajputs.
In Haridwar, Shraddhanand laid the foundation of Gurukul Kangri University which spreads the message of the Arya Samajist Dayanand Sarswati to the whole world.
He also formed ‘Dalit Uddhar Sabha’ to work for Dalit liberation. Ailing Swami was assassinated by a Muslim fanatic named Abdul Rashid on 23rd December 1926.
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