Certainly, here’s an answer tailored for UPSC Mains aspirants, with recent examples and key points bolded:

The Role of Social Reformers in Challenging Traditional Practices in India

Social reformers in India played a pivotal role in challenging the deeply entrenched traditional social and religious practices during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their efforts laid the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive society. Let’s analyze their contributions:

1. Abolition of Harmful Practices
   • Abolition of Sati: Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the practice of sati, leading to the Sati Regulation Act of 1829.
   • Widow Remarriage: Reformers such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar advocated for the legalization of widow remarriage, culminating in the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856.
2. Empowering Women and Promoting Education
   • Promoting Female Education: Reformers like Savitribai Phule and Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu established schools for girls and challenged the notion of women’s unfitness for education.
   • Recent Example: Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist, continues to champion the cause of girls’ education globally, including in India.
3. Challenging the Caste System
   • Abolition of Untouchability: Reformers like Jyotirao Phule and B.R. Ambedkar led the fight against the caste system and the practice of untouchability.
   • Recent Example: The Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018 to restore the original provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was a significant step in addressing caste-based discrimination.
4. Social and Religious Reforms
   • Reviving and Reinterpreting Hinduism: Reformers like Swami Vivekananda and Swami Dayananda Saraswati sought to revive and reinterpret Hindu scriptures and practices, challenging the rigid orthodoxy.
   • Recent Example: The Sabarimala temple entry issue, where the Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing women of all ages to enter the temple, sparked a debate on gender equality and religious practices.
5. Legal Reforms and Legislation
   • Enacting Reforms: Reformers worked with the British colonial administration to enact legal reforms, such as the prohibition of child marriage and the Age of Consent Act.
   • Recent Example: The passage of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, which criminalized the practice of instant triple talaq, was a significant legal reform addressing gender inequality.

The contributions of these social reformers were instrumental in challenging the traditional social and religious practices, paving the way for gradual social transformation. Their legacies continue to inspire and guide ongoing efforts for social justice and equality in India.