Mahatma Jyotirao Phule: A light that still shows India the way

Today, 11th April, is a deeply special day for all of us. It is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, one of India’s greatest social reformers and a guiding light for generations. This year, the occasion carries even greater significance, as it marks the beginning of his 200th birth anniversary celebrations.

Mahatma Phule was a great reformer. In addition to that, his was a life of moral courage, restless enquiry and unshakable commitment to social good. Mahatma Phule is remembered for the institutions he built and the movements he led. At the same time, his contribution to our civilisational journey lies in the hope he aroused, the confidence he instilled and the strength his thoughts continue to give to millions of people across the nation.

Born in the great state of Maharashtra in 1827, Mahatma Phule emerged from modest beginnings. But his initial hardships never stood in the way of his learning, his courage or his commitment to society. This is a trait that remained with him forever: whatever the challenges may be, one must work hard, acquire knowledge and mitigate those challenges instead of doing nothing about them.

From his school days, young Jyotirao was deeply curious and became a voracious reader, often reading books far beyond what children his age were expected to engage with. Years later, he said, “The more questions we generate, the more knowledge emerges from them.” Clearly, the spirit of enquiry he was blessed with since childhood remained constant throughout his journey.

Throughout his life, learning and education became central to Mahatma Phule’s mission. He recognised with rare clarity that knowledge is not a privilege to be guarded, but a force to be shared. At a time when the joys of learning were denied to many, he opened pioneering schools for girls and for those kept out of formal education.

He used to say, “Any improvement that comes in children through mothers is deeply valuable. Therefore, if schools are to be opened, they should first be opened for girls.” He worked to create a new social imagination in which the classroom became an instrument of justice and equality.

His vision for education inspires us greatly. Over the last decade, efforts have been made to make research and innovation a cornerstone for the youth of India. Initiatives aim to create an ecosystem where young minds are encouraged to question, explore and innovate. By investing in knowledge, skills and opportunity, India is empowering its youth to become problem-solvers and drivers of national progress.

Due to his knowledge and wisdom, Mahatma Phule developed a strong understanding of areas such as agriculture, healthcare and rural development. He often said that injustice towards farmers and workers weakens society. He saw how social inequalities manifested themselves in daily life, be it in farms or villages.

Hence, he immersed himself in ensuring dignity for the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalised. At the same time, he made every possible effort to ensure that social harmony was maintained.

Mahatma Phule opined:

“जोपर्यंत समाजात सर्वांना समान अधिकार मिळत नाहीत, तोपर्यंत खरी स्वातंत्र्य मिळत नाही.”

(True freedom cannot be achieved until everyone in society is granted equal rights.)

To realise this vision, he built institutions that translated ideas into action, contributing to a just society. The Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by him, was one of the most important social reform movements in modern India. It was at the forefront of social reform, community service and the advancement of human dignity. It became an effective voice for women, youngsters and those living in villages.

This movement reflected Mahatma Phule’s intrinsic belief that society could be strengthened by placing at its core justice, respect for every individual and a spirit of collective progress.

His personal life, too, carried lessons in courage. Constant work and close engagement with people took a toll on his health. Yet, even the most serious health challenges did not weaken his resolve. After suffering a debilitating stroke, he continued to work towards fulfilling his vision.

His body may have been tested, but his commitment to society never wavered. For millions today, especially those who draw courage from struggle, this remains one of the most powerful aspects of his life.

No remembrance of Mahatma Phule can be complete without a respectful mention of Savitribai Phule, who was herself one of the tallest reformers of our nation. As one of India’s pioneering women teachers, she played a defining role in advancing education for girls, giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

After Mahatma Phule’s passing, Savitribai carried forward his mission. In 1897, during a plague outbreak, she served victims with such devotion that she herself contracted the disease and lost her life.

Our land has been blessed, time and again, by great men and women who have strengthened society through thought, sacrifice and action. They did not wait for change to arrive from elsewhere — they became its source.

For centuries in India, the call for social betterment has risen from within society itself — from those who saw suffering clearly and refused to accept it as fate. Mahatma Jyotirao Phule was one such voice.

As we mark the beginning of his bicentenary year, the most fitting tribute to Mahatma Jyotirao Phule is renewal — renewal of our commitment to education, renewal of our sensitivity to injustice and renewal of our faith that society can improve itself from within.

His life teaches us that the power of community, when joined with moral clarity and public purpose, can achieve miracles in India. That is why he continues to give strength to millions. That is why his words and work still carry hope. And that is why, nearly two hundred years after his birth, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule remains not just a figure of the past, but a guide for India’s future.