Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c11.s13.1

c11.s13.1

Swami Dayananda became a votary of debates and assiduously perused *śāstrarthas* throughout northern India for more than thirty years of his life.⁹⁶ His *śāstrārthas* were held in *darbārs* (royal courts), assembly halls in different towns, public parks or open grounds. He challenged the *maulavīs* and Christian missionaries. The strategy involved in distributing pamphlets, booklets, advertisements and provocative announcements. The issues were child marriage, widow remarriage and refutation of blind beliefs. The *sanātanīs* were outraged. There were outcries and disruptions during the *śāstrārthas*. That the onslaught of Ārya Samaj led to communal clashes between his followers and the *sanātanīs*, there are instances of attacks on dalits who joined the Samaj.⁹⁷