Jyotiba Phule: Reformer

Why in News: Jyotiba Phule’s birth anniversary was observed on April 11th.

Birth and Background: Born April 11, 1827, in the Mali caste. An incident at a Brahmin wedding motivated him to fight caste oppression.

Educational Reforms:

• Cofounded India’s first school for girls with his wife Savitribai in 1848.
• Established 18 more schools in the following three years.
• Started night schools for workers, farmers, and women in Pune by 1855.

Social Reforms & Opposition to Orthodoxy:

• Opposed caste system and criticized figures like Chiplunkar and Tilak.
• Favored working with the British government for the upliftment of oppressed castes and women.

Satyashodhak Samaj:

• Founded in 1873 as an alternative to upper-caste dominated reform movements like Brahmo Samaj.

Critique of 1857 Revolt: Viewed it as an upper-caste effort to restore Brahmin rule.

Views on Slavery: Compared caste oppression in India to American slavery in Gulamgiri.

Economic Upliftment: Advocated compulsory education and economic empowerment for lower castes.

Religious Freedom: Defended Pandita Ramabai’s right to convert to Christianity in Satsar.

Farming Reforms: Critiqued the exploitation of peasantry in Shetkaryanche Asud, advocating for constructive governmental approaches and farmers education.

Rationalism: Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak promoted a just society

Influence: Inspired by Thomas Paine’s The Rights of Man and Age of Reason.

Recognition: Bestowed with the title “Mahatma” in 1888.