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Article
tells you about Jyotiba’s struggles and achievements in brief.
Jyotirao
Govindrao Phule, also known as Jotiba Phule is regarded as the foremost reformer,
social activist and a pioneer of women education in India during the 19th
century. Jotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule, played an important
role in women empowerment and welfare then.
The
relentless efforts of Mahatma Jotiba Phule in removing the evils
of the caste system that had degenerated from its original concept, made
him an icon of social justice for the Depressed Classes. Noted that Ambedkar
always used the word Depressed Classes to describe those belonging to his
community.
Phule’s reforms
contributed to removal of untouchability, caste discrimination
and women empowerment.
He and
his supporters founded Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-seekers' Society) in
Pune. It was a social reform society that fought for equal
rights for the depressed classes. Soon, people from all sections of
society joined and worked for upliftment of the backward classes.
Childhood and Education
In 1827 was
born Jyotirao Govindrao Phule in Maharashtra’s Satara district. His
father, Govindrao worked as a florist and vegetable vendor. The
family belonged to 'Mali' caste. They were considered to be a lower caste
and looked down upon by others. Note that NCP leader, the rich and powerful,
Chagan Bhujbal also belongs to the Mali community.
Jyotirao
lost his mother when he was only nine months old. From early days,
Jyotirao was a bright and talented student. However, the
family’s deteriorating financial condition compelled him to stop studying and
join the family business.
Sensing
that the young Jyotirao was talented a neighbour persuaded his father to send
him back to school. Jyotirao’s father then decided to give his
son the best education that he could afford.
During school
days Jyotirao came in contact with Sadashiv Ballal Govande, a Brahmin boy. They
soon became close and lifelong friends. Both Jyotirao and Govande
were highly influenced by Thomas Paine's ideas of human
equality. Two more friends of Jyotirao Moro Vithal Valvekar and Sakharam
Yashwant Paranjapye, who belonged to the upper caste supported his reform activities
in later years.
Notwithstanding
the problems faced by the depressed classes then, three upper caste boys were
Jyotirao’s friends or and supported his reform activities.
Then
children married at an early age. So following the prevalent custom Jyotirao
Phule was married, at the age of thirteen, to nine year old Savitribai in the
year 1840.
It was
Jyotirao who taught Savitribai to read and write after he saw
her enthusiasm to learn and educate herself. He also supported her
decision to become a teacher and undertake social reform.
The beginning of social reform activities
In 1848,
an ugly incident at a friend’s wedding spurred Jyotirao to fight
against the caste system. It motivated him to start a social movement to
eradicate social evils prevalent then.
Jyotirao
was invited to attend the wedding of one of his Brahmin friends, but at
the wedding, family members of his friend insulted Jyotirao when they came to
know about his caste.
Jyotirao
left the venue in anger and decided to uproot the existing
caste-system and its unfair practices. He made it his life’s aim to hit
relentlessly at the system of upper caste domination and decided to fight for
those who were subjected to this social discrimination.
American
activist Thomas Paine's famous book 'The Rights of Man', left an
everlasting influence on young Jyotirao's mind. He
strongly believed that education is the most powerful tool which
could change the world. Education is the only weapon that can
bring about social change and remove the evils from society.
Notwithstanding
the above note that according to noted Gandhian Dharampalji, the maximum number
of scholars in the schools of Madras Presidency ie parts of modern day Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, were Sudras. Do read link one.
His Role in Women Education
and Empowerment
Jyotirao
also worked hard towards raising consciousness
about women rights and social injustice faced by women. He was a
strong believer of gender equality and led by example by giving his wife equal
rights in every sphere. His wife Savitribai, supported Jyotirao’s quest
for women empowerment and education.
In 1851 Jyotirao set
up a school for girls and requested his wife Savitribai to become a teacher there.
After a few years, he managed to establish two more schools for girls and a
local school for backward communities like Mahars and Mangs.
Dirt, mud
and stones were flung at Savitribai every time she left her house to teach
lower caste oppressed women. It did not deter her however.
Jyotirao felt
deeply about the pathetic condition of widows
in Indian society. In 1863, Jyotirao and Savitribai also started
a Care Centre for widows of young age and provided them a secure place
to live. The husband wife duo advocated widow remarriage and worked
against child marriage too.
Like
societies in other countries then, Indian society was a male dominated one.
The women were deliberately denied opportunities for growth and suffered from
denial of freedom.
Child
marriages were not uncommon. Sometimes girls were married off to much older
men, these girls often became widows at an early age and then left
with zero financial support. Jyotirao felt the pain of
these young women and raised his voice.
Just to put matters in perspective, “The British Parliament granted
franchise to its women in 1918. Down to 1850 A.D. in England, a woman could not
take a walk, much less a journey, alone, nor could she ask a fellow worker to
visit her, unless the worker was a girl. When two ladies spoke at a meeting
convened for the purpose of supporting a women’s cause in Parliament, a Member
of Parliament said “Two ladies have disgraced themselves for speaking in
public”. When the House of Commons was built in 1844, it was great difficulty
that a Ladies Gallery was sanctioned.” Apparently, gender discrimination wasn’t
only prevalent it India. It then existed across the world.
Having said that we must remember two
18-19th century queens whose names are immortal. First is Ahilyabai Holkar of Maheshwar, able ruler and administrator
from 1767 to 1795. She belonged to the Dhangar or shepherd community. And the
second is Rani of Jhansi’s rebellion in 1857.
His Efforts towards the Elimination of
Caste Discrimination
“The great reformer from Mumbai, Rao
Bahadur Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar gave Jyotirao Phule the title of “Mahatma”
in May 1888 in recognition of his selfless services to humanity”.
Jyotirao criticized the
upper castes and called them "hypocrites". He spoke against the blind
submission to Brahmins and other upper castes. Simultaneously, he urged the
lower castes to disobey the rules imposed upon them.
He
advocated social equality and welcomed people from all castes and religions.
The upper castes were angry with his reforms. Both were held responsible
for defying the rules and regulations of the society. Some said they were
agents of Christian Missionaries. But nothing could deter Jyotirao from his
revolt against social injustice.
It must
be noted that some of Jyotirao’s Brahmin friends openly supported his
reform movement. Jyotirao also wrote dramas to mobilise people against what was
wrong with society then.
To put matters in perspective Veer Savarkar was another great social reformer
too though in a later period. To read about his role as a social reformer
The Formation of Satya Shodhak Samaj
In 1873,
Jyotiba Phule laid the foundation of Satya
Shodhak Samaj (aka Truth seeker’s society). He presented a
socio-cultural analysis that was highly critical of caste based
domination. He advocated social democracy and justice.
Phule also
criticized age-old ‘Chaturvarnya’ theory of gradation and separation of
man based on birth.
In spite
of difficult situations and continuous disapproval, the Phule duo
continued social reform.
The sole
purpose of the formation of “Satya Shodhak Samaj” was to eradicate
caste discrimination and liberate lower castes from upper caste domination.
Jyotirao
Phule invented the term 'Dalit' for the untouchables. It must however
be mentioned that Dr Ambedkar always said he belonged to the Depressed Classes.
The word Dalit entered the national discourse in the 1990’s. Many believe it
was done at the behest of the Church to encourage conversions.
Membership
to the “Satya Shodhak Samaj” was given
to everyone regardless of their caste and religion. By 1876
'Satya Shodhak Samaj' had 316 members.
In 1868,
Jyotirao showed his embracing attitude by making a common bathing
water tank near his house and sat to dine with people of all
castes.
Later life and Death
Mahatma Jyotiba
Phule and his wife dedicated their entire lives for
the betterment of oppressed sections. Phule’s idea of ideal society
was based on equality, liberty and justice to all.
Apart from being a
social reformer, he was also a businessman, farmer and
contractor for the Municipal Corporation. In 1888,
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule suffered a massive stroke. He passed
away on 28 November 1890.
Do read his biography
by respected author Dhananjay Keer titled, ‘Mahatma Jyotibha Phule: Father of
Our Social Revolution’. I hope to visit The Mahatma Phule Museum in Pune on my
next visit.
Also read
1 Were
Backward Classes always suppressed in India?
2
History of the word Dalit
3
Status of Indigenous Education around 1820 by
Dharampalji
4
Jnanadanandini Devi Tagore is an unsung heroine who
led a social revolution in Bengal during the 19th century