On this day in 1827, was born a great reformer who worked relentlessly to reclaim human dignity by empowering reason and asserting the rights of all human beings. While studying in the Scottish Mission's High School, Pune, he was influenced by Thomas Paine's pamphlet 'Rights of Man'. He developed an impeccable sense of social justice and grew passionately critical of the oppressive caste system.
Jyotiba Phule reignited the struggle for justice and equal rights for farmers and Dalits. Along with his wife Savitribai and others, he initiated positive transformations in the spheres of education, agriculture, caste system and social empowerment of women. Leading by example, he opened his own house and let all make use of the well water without any prejudice.
He founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to prevent exploitation and abuse of the Bahujan Samaj by the upper castes. Phule felt reason alone would empower society to be better at reclaiming rights and responsibilities. His life remains inspirational in our situation where truth suffers treason in the maze of modern superstition and hatred mongering against humanity itself.
Phule’s legacy shows that the ability to reason leads to an attitude of responsibility towards human rights. However, so often, so many of us are unreasonable especially with regards to rights of others. We have to start with ourselves. Phule’s muse, Thomas Paine reasoned, ‘Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.’
Jyotiba inspires to involve in humane reason…
So that no one is denied rights in any season!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Jyotiba Phule reignited the struggle for justice and equal rights for farmers and Dalits. Along with his wife Savitribai and others, he initiated positive transformations in the spheres of education, agriculture, caste system and social empowerment of women. Leading by example, he opened his own house and let all make use of the well water without any prejudice.
He founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to prevent exploitation and abuse of the Bahujan Samaj by the upper castes. Phule felt reason alone would empower society to be better at reclaiming rights and responsibilities. His life remains inspirational in our situation where truth suffers treason in the maze of modern superstition and hatred mongering against humanity itself.
Phule’s legacy shows that the ability to reason leads to an attitude of responsibility towards human rights. However, so often, so many of us are unreasonable especially with regards to rights of others. We have to start with ourselves. Phule’s muse, Thomas Paine reasoned, ‘Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.’
Jyotiba inspires to involve in humane reason…
So that no one is denied rights in any season!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
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