The correct answer is Child marriage. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Behramji Merwanji Malabari (1853–1912) was a prominent Parsi social reformer, journalist, and poet who dedicated his life to the protection of women's rights and the removal of social evils in India. • His most significant contribution was his relentless crusade against the practice of child marriage and the enforced widowhood of Hindu girls. Hence, the statement regarding child marriage is correct. • In 1884, he published his famous "Notes on Infant Marriage and Enforced Widowhood," which he circulated among both British officials and Indian leaders to garner support for legislative intervention. • His advocacy was instrumental in the enactment of the Age of Consent Act, 1891. This legislation raised the minimum age of consent for sexual intercourse for girls (both married and unmarried) from 10 years to 12 years. • Malabari also founded the Seva Sadan in 1908 along with his friend Diwan Dayaram Gidumal. This organization focused on the welfare of the socially discarded and exploited women, providing them with education and medical facilities. Related Concepts: • Journalism and Influence: • Malabari was the editor of the Indian Spectator, a weekly newspaper through which he voiced his reformist ideas. He also took over the management of the Voice of India, which was started by Dadabhai Naoroji in London. • He used his editorial platforms to bridge the gap between British policy and Indian social needs, advocating for gradual but firm legislative reforms. • Other Social Evils mentioned in options: • Widow burning or Sati: This was primarily addressed by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. His efforts led to the Sati Regulation Act of 1829, passed by the then Governor-General Lord William Bentinck. • Female infanticide: Legislative measures against this practice were introduced much earlier through the Bengal Regulation Acts of 1795 and 1804, and later the Female Infanticide Prevention Act, 1870. • Untouchability: Movements against untouchability gained significant momentum later under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the 20th century. • Geographic and Cultural Context: • Malabari was born in Baroda (now Vadodara, Gujarat) and spent much of his working life in Bombay (now Mumbai). • Despite being a Parsi, he focused heavily on the internal social reforms of the Hindu community, which earned him both high praise and intense criticism from conservative sectors. Important Notes: • Controversy over the Age of Consent Act: The 1891 Act faced severe opposition from conservative nationalists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who argued that the British government should not interfere with Hindu religious and social customs. • Global Advocacy: Malabari traveled to London in 1890 to lobby the British Parliament and public opinion to support the Age of Consent bill, showing his commitment to international pressure for social change. • Legacy: He is remembered as a mediator between the East and the West, emphasizing that social reform must precede or at least accompany political independence to build a healthy nation. • The Age of Consent Act was a precursor to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 (popularly known as the Sarda Act), which eventually fixed the marriageable age for girls at 14 and boys at 18.