Anuvrat Movements Theory and Practical

Author(s): Shivani Bothra
Publisher: USA Florida International University

Page 23

begin with, Tulsi endeavored the making of a healthy nation through building of ideal
societies. Then in order to clarify the meaning of ideal society, Tulsi emphasized to free
the society from the maladies of modernity; his main emphasis was on character
development and self-transformation through self-control, ultimately resulting in
individual regeneration. He stressed upon honesty in all walks of life; thus, he constituted
distinct code of conduct for students, teachers, politicians, businessmen, and everyone
else. He gave priority to the removal of social evils like dowry and purdah and took
radical measures to elevate the political status of women and the oppressed milieu. In this
manner, the accounts of Tulsi's industrious undertakings were without significant
variations.
Empowerment of Women
Tulsi's views on the advocacy of women's rights in the political, social, and
economic arenas in a male-dominated society were different from the then ongoing
feminist movements worldwide. Tulsi's views on women's development are described in
his biography as follows:
Women have been unfairly treated, remained in constraint, forced to follow useless customs and deprived of education for a long time. Acknowledging the active feminist movements in the West, he continued, the view that women should have equal rights as men is gaining strength. He further stated, ripples of western movements are observed in India also. However, he stated his viewpoint by taking women's development in a different direction. He said women's progress in the society should not be measured by men's progress, as man has not reached the summit of all developments. He has not progressed in the real sense and in many ways still lags behind. Thus, women should not idealize men and women should think independently regarding her status in the society giving equal priority to character development 20
20 Yuvacharya Mahapragya, Dharma Chakra ka Pravartan (Achary Shri Tulsi ki Jeevan-Katha), ed. Muni Dulahraj, 1st ed. (Rajsamand: Acharya Shri Tulsi Amrit Mohatsav Rashtrya Samiti, 1986), 33.