“Religion and religion alone is the life of India, and when that goes, India will die, in spite of politics, in spite of social reforms, in spite of Kubera's wealth poured upon the head of every one of her children.” Swami Vivekananda
Nowadays, women are going to schools. They are also going abroad for higher education. But once upon a time, that was not the case. It was considered a sin for a girl to enter school. Women were confined to household chores and cooking. If they spoke against these, they were expelled from society. In those days, Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule was a great person who gave self-confidence to the oppressed and weaker sections of society and worked for their empowerment. On the occasion of his birth anniversary on April 11, let's learn about Phule's biography and interesting facts about him!
Jyoti Rao Govinda Rao Phule was a great social reformer, social enlightener, thinker, social worker, writer, philosopher, and revolutionary activist of the 19th century. He is also known as Mahatma Phule and Jyotiba Phule. He worked throughout his life to provide education to women and to stop child marriages. Phule wanted to free society from superstitions. Born on April 11, 1827, Phule died on November 28, 1890, at the age of 63. His achievements and contributions to the advancement of women in this life journey are unparalleled!
Jyotiba married Savitribai in 1840. These were the days when the religious reform movement was going on in Maharashtra. On the other hand, it was also the time when the caste system was spreading. Jyotiba Phule started a large-scale movement to free society from the evils of female education. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule started the first women's school for girls in the country in 1848. His wife Savitribai, was the first teacher in this school, which he started in Pune. At that time, a section of the society opposed this. Due to this, Jyotiba Phule had to close his school.
However, after this, Jyoti Rao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj to provide justice to the Dalits and the downtrodden. It was established to take forward the social change movement. Its main objectives were to provide justice to the Shudras and Atishudras, encourage them for education, liberate them from oppression, and provide employment opportunities in the administrative sector to the youth of the downtrodden classes. Jyoti Rao Phule was awarded the title of Mahatma at a meeting held in Mumbai in 1888 for his social service.
The social reforms he carried out laid a strong foundation for that movement. His services changed Indian society and provided new ideas for the freedom struggle.
1. A warrior who paved the way for social equality:
Although the national movement sought independence, it had to face shortcomings such as caste discrimination and gender inequalities in the society. Phule stood against these inequalities and worked to ensure that the Shudras and the lowest castes got education and rights. This concept of equality inspired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar.
2. The beginning of the educational revolution:
Education became an important weapon in the Indian national movement. Phule, along with his wife Savitribai, pioneered the education of girls. His principle of "Vidya Vinte is real liberation" inspired the freedom fighters of the time.
3. Criticism of British rule:
In his book "Ghulam Giri", he strongly criticized the British rule as well as the caste dominations existing in the country. This work helped Indians recognize their right to live as human beings.
4. Social change through "Satya Shodhak Samaj":
He opposed caste, religious and gender discrimination through the "Satya Shodhak Samaj" he founded. This became an inspiration for future movements.
5. Ambedkar, Phule's inspiration:
The path shown by Phule inspired Bhimrao Ambedkar. Ambedkar's calling Phule "our guru" shows how great his role was.
Although Jyoti Rao Phule's services did not directly provide political guidance to the Indian national movement, he laid a strong foundation for key issues such as equality, right to education, and social change. Without the path shown by him, the issues of equal rights and social justice would not have emerged throughout the Indian freedom struggle.
It is no exaggeration to say that the path shown by Phule — education, equality, and social change — gave us true freedom.
It is because of Phule's reform movements that girls in the country can study today. Many movements that free people from slavery at the social and intellectual level have taken root under his leadership. They continue in every field even today. Phule's ideas have become the strength of Indians in the freedom struggle. It has led to the emergence of new ideas among the people. Jyoti Rao Govinda Rao Phule died on November 28, 1890, in Pune. Even though it has been 136 years since he left this world, his ideals continue to guide women today.
Morals to be learned from the story:
1. Fight for equality: Achieving equality by setting aside differences of caste, religion, and gender is the real victory. Everyone should get equal opportunities.
2. Oppose superstitions: Phule rejected superstitions and promoted science and fact-based thinking. One should not be afraid to question the wrongs of society.
3. Service: The good of the community is more important than personal interests. Phule dedicated his life to the well-being of others. We, too, should learn to help others and bring about change.
4. Stand for justice: Standing on the side of the oppressed and fighting for their rights is true courage.
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