Though I have discarded much of past tradition and custom, and am anxious that India should rid herself of all shackles that bind and contain her and divide her people, and suppress vast numbers of them, and prevent the free development of the body and the spirit; though I seek all this, yet I do not wish to cut myself off from that past completely. I am proud of that great inheritance that has been and is, ours and I am conscious that I too, like all of us, am a link in that unbroken chain which goes back to the dawn of history in the immemorial past of India.

The author wants India to rid herself of certain past bonds because

The correct option is "they obstruct her physical and spiritual growth".

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyze the passage: The author expresses a desire for India to "rid herself of all shackles that bind and contain her and divide her people, and suppress vast numbers of them, and prevent the free development of the body and the spirit".

2. Interpret the author's reasoning: The "shackles" represent past traditions, customs, or bonds. The author explicitly states that these bonds do the following:
- Bind and contain India
- Divide her people
- Suppress vast numbers of them
- Prevent the free development of the body (physical growth) and the spirit (spiritual growth).

3. Evaluate the options:
- "he is not able to see the relevance of the past": Incorrect, as he explicitly says he is "proud of that great inheritance" and does not want to "cut myself off from that past completely."
- "there is not much to be proud of": Incorrect, as he says he is "proud of that great inheritance."
- "he is not interested in the history of India": Incorrect, as he describes himself as "a link in that unbroken chain which goes back to the dawn of history."
- "they obstruct her physical and spiritual growth": Correct, as this directly aligns with the text stating that the shackles "prevent the free development of the body and the spirit."