When Raja Ram Mohan Roy campaigned against Sati and formed the Brahma Samaj, defenders of sati formed Dharma Sabha and petitioned the British not to legislate against Sati. This is an example of
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Counter Movement
Option (1) Objectives and Ideologies — Incorrect. Shared objectives and ideologies are one of the defining features of every social movement: those who take part share a general orientation towards bringing about (or preventing) change. The term names a feature of a movement, not the kind of action the Dharma Sabha took.
Option (2) Public Issue — Incorrect. Social movements often arise to bring about changes on a public issue, such as the right of tribal people to use the forests. Sati was the public issue here; the question asks what the Dharma Sabha’s response to the reform was.
Option (3) Agreement — Incorrect. The defenders of sati did not agree with Rammohun Roy; they petitioned the British against the reform, which is the opposite of agreement.
Option (4) Counter Movement — Correct. While social movements seek to bring in social change, counter movements arise in defence of the status quo. Raja Rammohun Roy’s campaign against sati was the movement for change; the defenders of sati formed the Dharma Sabha and asked the British not to legislate against sati, so as to keep the old practice.
NCERT (2025-26): “8.1 Features of a Social Movement … Those participating in a social movement also have shared objectives and ideologies. A social movement has a general orientation or way of approaching to bring about (or to prevent) change. These defining features are not constant. They may change over the course of a social movement’s life. Social movements often arise with the aim of bringing about changes on a public issue, such as ensuring the right of the tribal population to use the forests or the right of displaced people to settlement and compensation. Think of other issues that social movements have taken up in the past and present. While social movements seek to bring in social change, counter movements sometimes arise in defence of status quo. There are many instances of such counter movements. When Raja Rammohun Roy campaigned against sati and formed the Brahmo Samaj, defenders of sati formed Dharma Sabha and petitioned the British not to legislate against sati.…” |