Mahatma Jyotirao Phule established the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) in 1873 in Pune, Maharashtra, with the aim of promoting social justice and equality. The organization was founded to challenge the deep-rooted caste system, discrimination, and oppression in Indian society, particularly against lower castes (Dalits) and women. Phule, a visionary social reformer, sought to dismantle the exploitation by the Brahminical elite and religious orthodoxy, which he believed perpetuated social inequality and injustice. The Satyashodhak Samaj advocated for equal rights for all, regardless of caste or gender, and emphasized the need for education as a tool for social empowerment.
Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were pioneers in education, especially for women and marginalized communities, establishing the first school for girls in Pune in 1848. The Samaj also worked to improve the condition of women by promoting widow remarriage and opposing practices like child marriage. It was a platform for the marginalized to assert their rights and demand equality, guided by the principles of rationalism, justice, and the pursuit of truth. Through the Satyashodhak Samaj, Phule sought to create a more equitable society free from the chains of caste and gender discrimination.
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