A dedicated social reformer, Gopalhari Deshniukh ad­vocated a reorganisation of Indian society on rational principles and modern, humanistic secular values. He attacked Hindu orthodoxy and supported social and religious equality. He said, “If religion does not sanction social reform, then change religion.” Deshmukh founded the Punarvivah Mandal at Ahmedabad to encourage widow remarriage. He was the editor of a monthly Marathi magazine, Lokhitwadi, and assist­ed in launching Marathi newspapers, Induprakash and Jnanprakash.