B Is not Early Marriage the cause of early Pubes- 241-246 252-258 A SYMPOSIUM OF HINDU DOMESTIC REFORMERS AND ANTI-REFORMERS. SIR T. MADAVA RAO.-We cannot dine together or drink together, my dear friends, but we can have a talk together at least. Let us then "expatiate free" over this vexed question of Hindu Domestic Reform, and try to come to some practical conclusions. More than a year ago, I said: "The great danger is lest the present generation should pass away in total inaction." I am afraid, my dear brethren, we have been all inactive. We have certainly talked away and written away to our hearts' content, but, I am sorry to say, we have set no examples. MR. A. SANKARIAH.-But, my dear sir, what examples are we to set? Your Social Reformers agitate for freedom to widows and girls to marry at any age, but this freedom is not denied now, and was not denied at any time; and, I say the agitators are not just and even honest, in interfering with those who do not religiously or socially approve of that freedom. RAO SAHIB VISHWANATH N. MANDLIK.-And I say there is certainly no enforced widowhood in India at present, nor is there any such a general early marriage system prevalent as can be remedied by Government. I do not understand what reform is needed. MR. T. PATTABHIRAM.-Let me introduce myself, gentlemen. I hail from the Southern Presidency, and in my humble opinion, Mr. Mandlik and Mr. Sankaria are certainly right as to the freedom of widows to re-marry-for to a Hindu widow, who makes up her mind to resume her married state, at the risk of losing her caste, her religion, and the affection and society of her relations. there now exists, most assuredly, no |