A Critical Study of the Elements of Social Justice in Kabir’s Poetry

Abstract

In the medieval Indian saint literature, Kabir emerges as a powerful consciousness who not only challenged religious hypocrisy and social inequalities but also articulated a strong voice for social justice through his dohas, sakhis, and padas. He was neither merely a saint of devotion nor simply a social reformer; rather, he was a social revolutionary whose aim was to establish a society founded on the values of equality, freedom, and fraternity.

Kabir’s poetry is rich from religious, social, and philosophical perspectives. While it emphasizes the oneness of God and the purity of the soul, it also delivers a sharp critique of social injustice, caste discrimination, religious fanaticism, and rigid orthodox practices. His poetic expression exposes the contradictions embedded in ritualism, Brahmanical dominance, and hollow religious conduct, advocating instead a humane, ethical, and egalitarian social order.

This research paper undertakes a critical examination of the elements of social justice present in Kabir’s poetry and seeks to understand the extent to which his poetic vision remains relevant in the contemporary social context. Kabir’s thought continues to inspire democratic consciousness and social transformation by questioning established hierarchies and promoting a value-based, just society.