Champions of Equality: Remembering Phule and Ambedkar in a Time of Challenge

India celebrates the birth anniversaries of two social justice giants in April: Jyotirao Phule (April 11th) and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (April 14th). As India grapples with threats to its constitutional foundation and a resurgence of regressive values, Phule and Ambedkar’s messages hold renewed significance.

Pioneering Education for All:

In 1848, the year the Communist Manifesto was published, a young Jyotirao Phule (21) and his wife Savitribai Phule (17) defied social norms by opening India’s first school for girls in Pune. Inspired by Thomas Paine’s “Rights of Man,” they faced ostracization for advocating women’s education and rights of oppressed castes. Supported by Muslim friends Fatima Sheikh and Usman Sheikh, they embarked on a groundbreaking journey towards social justice.

Fighting Injustice:

Phule’s seminal work, “Gulamgiri” (Slavery), published in 1873, challenged the caste system and resonated with the fight against racial slavery in America. He passed away in 1890, around the time Ambedkar was born.

Ambedkar’s Legacy:

In the 1920s, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, armed with degrees from the UK and US, emerged as a powerful advocate for social justice. He considered Phule, Buddha, and Kabir as his guiding lights.

1927 marked two pivotal moments: the Mahad Satyagraha for equal access to water and the public burning of the Manusmriti, a text seen as perpetuating caste inequality. In 1936, Ambedkar’s call for “annihilation of caste” resonated powerfully. He formed the Independent Labour Party, targeting both caste and capitalism.

Architect of Modern India:

Ambedkar played a crucial role in shaping independent India. He chaired the Constituent Assembly and drafted the Constitution, a document that continues to be the bedrock of Indian democracy. He championed the Hindu Code Bill to ensure equal rights for women.

Lessons for Today:

As India faces a critical election, Phule and Ambedkar’s legacies offer valuable lessons. Ambedkar warned against the dangers of “bhakti in politics” and the concept of a “Hindu Rashtra.” Remembering his words, we must strive to protect the Constitution and safeguard India’s democratic future.