Rich tributes pour in for education reformist Savitribai Phule, students demand adequate research fellowships

Students marched from Savitribai’s statue at the university to other colleges such as Fergusson and Garware, culminating at Bhide Wada, where the feminist reformer had instituted the first girls’ school in India. They lauded the government’s move to convert the Bhide Wada school into a national museum.

“Savitribai Phule spoke about education for all and to make it a reality today, we need to take many steps so that education remains accessible to everyone,” said Somnath Nirmal, state president of Students’ Federation of India, the organisers of the march. “We demand a withdrawal of the school adoption scheme, granting of adequate research fellowships through BARTI, SARTHI, MahaJyoti and TRTI and implementation of free admission for students of backward classes,” he said.

Apart from the students’ march, a lecture was delivered by Maya Pandit-Narkar, former Vice-Chancellor of EFL University in Hyderabad. “Savitribai did not back down on her principles and believed in creating a new wave of ideology, establishing the Satya Shodhak Samaj with her partner and social reformer Jyotiba Phule,” said Narkar. She explained the importance of the Satya Shodhak movement, highlighting its role in challenging harmful rituals and conservative beliefs in society.

The lecture was attended by members of the Senate, heads of academic and administrative departments, teachers, non-teaching staff, and students.

Vice chancellor of SPPU Suresh Gosavi said, “When faced with a society that unjustly denied women access to education, Savitribai exhibited courage by standing against societal norms, influencing other women, and showing how the power of knowledge can bring revolution to society.”

Shiva Barole, president of SPPU-unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said, “Savitribai Phule is a major icon for us and we commemorated today with several interactions with the students at university. We still have a lot of work to do to fulfil the values she professed.”

For Pranjali Sharma, a researcher at one of the university departments, it was coming to Pune that she truly understood the importance of Savitribai Phule. “Savitribai’s essence lies rooted in me now, whenever I think of it. I feel it in the way of moving forward with the most education and knowledge I can get from anywhere and I hope I keep this hope alive within me throughout,” said Sharma.

She went to Phule Wada on Wednesday morning where several people, especially women, congregated and sang songs that embraced and encouraged education for all.

Pune-based musician Sheetal Sathe was also present at the event.