Mahatma Jyotirao Phule

Why in News?

Recently, national leaders paid floral tributes on the 200^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule at Prerna Sthal, Parliament House Complex.

Key Contributions

• He is known as Father of Indian Social Revolution.
• Social Reform – Radical critique of Brahmanical hegemony; described caste as institutionalised slavery.
• Education as Emancipation – Along with Savitribai Phule, he pioneered education for Shudras, Ati-Shudras (Dalits), and women.
• Famous dictum – “Vidhye-vina mati geli” (Without education, wisdom is lost).
• Agrarian Reforms – In Shetkaryacha Asud (The Cultivator’s Whipcord), exposed exploitation of farmers by British bureaucracy and moneylenders.
• Anti-Caste Ideology – Used the symbol of Raja Bali to provide cultural identity for oppressed classes.
• He was one of the first leaders to use the term "Dalit" for oppressed castes and famously opened a water tank in his own home for untouchables in 1868.
• Satya Shodhak Samaj (1873) – Rejected priestly mediation, promoted social service and equality.
• Publications –
  • Gulamgiri (1873) – Dedicated to the American abolitionist movement.
  • Tritiya Ratna (1855) – Play exposing priestly exploitation.
  • Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak – Posthumous work advocating rationalism and universal religion of truth.
• Newspaper – Deenbandhu – Voice of the Satyashodhak movement.

References 

1. PIB | Jyotirao Phule
2. PIB | Jyotirao Phule