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This is an archive article published on October 1, 2024

Nashik civic body removes controversial inscription at Jyotiba Phule Memorial

The Rs 4.65-crore memorial was conceived by Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra’s Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, and funded by the Nashik Municipal Corporation.

phule memorial controversyThe Krantisurya Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial that was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde last week in Nashik. (Loksatta Team)

The Nashik Municipal Corporation on Tuesday removed the controversial inscription beneath the recently unveiled 18-foot bronze statue of social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Nashik.

The civic body took down the inscription following a report by The Indian Express, which highlighted alterations to a well-known quatrain written by Mahatma Phule that originally has a reference to “shudra”. Political parties had questioned the historical integrity of the memorial featuring the notable quatrain without the word “shudra” and also the appropriateness of altering Phule’s original work.

“We received orders to take down the inscription and we complied,” said a Nashik Municipal Corporation officer.
The quatrain was taken from Phule’s 1881 work “Shetkaryacha Asud (The Whip of Farmers)”, which addresses the plight of cultivators in 19th-century India.

The Rs 4.65-crore memorial was conceived by Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra’s Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, and funded by the Nashik Municipal Corporation.

The original quatrain reads: “Vidaye vina mati geli, mati vina niti geli. Niti Vina Gati geli, Gati vina vitt gele. Vitt vina shudra khachle, evde anarth aka avidyene kele.”

jyotiba phule memorial The controversial inscriptions in which the lines written by Jyotiba Phule have been altered (Express Photo)

It translates as: “Without knowledge, wisdom is lost, Without wisdom, righteousness is lost, Without righteousness, progress is lost, Without progress, wealth is lost, Without wealth, the lowly suffer, Such is the chaos caused by ignorance.”

These lines emphasise the critical role of education and knowledge in society and highlight the severe social and economic consequences of ignorance, particularly for marginalised communities.

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However, the statue’s inscription omitted the reference to “Shudra”, and read, “Vidaye vina mati geli, mati vina niti geli. Niti Vina Gati geli, Gati vina vitt gele. Evde anarth aka avidyene kele.”
Former Nashik MP Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, acknowledged that the alteration was an “error” that would be addressed.

“We have grand plans for the memorial. The error in the inscription was inadvertent. We will ensure that it is rectified,” said Sameer.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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