Jyotiba Phule

Prime Minister of India recently paid homage to Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary, recognizing his enduring contributions to social reform and equality, which continue to inspire efforts towards social justice.

About the Jyotiba Phule:

• Jyotiba Phule, a social reformer, writer, and educationalist from Maharashtra, was known as Mahatma, a title given by Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar in 1888, and was referred to as the Father of the Nation by the Bahujan society.
• He was born Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and greatly influenced Dr. B.R. Ambedkar through his extensive literary works including Tritiya Ratna, Gulamgiri, Brahmanache Kasab, and Shetkaryacha Aasud.
• Phule’s notable contributions include starting the first school for girls in Pune in 1848 with his wife Savitribai Phule, founding the Satyashodhak Samaj (‘Truth-seekers’ society) in 1873 to advocate for the rights of lower castes, and establishing a home for pregnant Brahmin widows and an orphanage to combat infanticide.