Maharashtra Assembly passes resolution recommending Bharat Ratna for Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai

Mumbai: In a significant development, the Maharashtra Legislature on Monday passed a resolution unanimously requesting the Centre to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour to social reformer-couple Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.

The Phule-couple had worked extensively towards female education and empowerment, and towards ending caste-based discrimination and gender-based discrimination, ending child marriage and founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seekers' Society).

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1 April, 1827 – 28 November, 1890) and Savatribai Phule (3 January, 1831 -10 March, 1897) have significant marks in India’s history.

State Protocol Minister Minister Jaykumar Raval moved the resolution, while NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar spoke in support of it.

“The recommendation to the Central government to confer Bharat Ratna to Krantisurya Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule got unanimously passed in our Maharashtra Legislative Assembly,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted on X.

"Mahatma title was above everything in the country and was enjoyed by only two people — Mahatma Phule and Mahatma Gandhi," he said in Assembly.

“Bestowing Bharat Ratna to the iconic social reformers will be an honour to public sentiment,” said Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.