Do you think it was necessary or desirable to mix religion with the work of social reform?

Most of these reform movements had certain limitations. The questions to which they gave primacy concerned only small sections of Indian society. Some of them also failed to emphasize or even recognize that colonial rule was basically inimical to the interests of the Indian people.

Most of them also worked within the framework of their respective communities and, in a way, tended to promote identities based on religion or caste.

Many of these limitations were sought to be overcome during the course of the national movement with which many social and religious reformers were closely associated. Indian nationalism aimed at the regeneration of the entire Indian society irrespective of caste and community.

It was no longer necessary to confine the movement of social reform to one’s own community. The nationalist movement tackled all social evils on a national basis and did not deal with them community-wise.