CONGRESS leader Sachin Pilot began his day-long protest targeting his party's Rajasthan government over corruption issues by first paying a tribute to the late Jyotiba Phule. The social reformer also formed the backdrop to the stage where he launched perhaps his last bid for political relevance before the coming Assembly elections. Pilot's move followed the Rajasthan government's move declaring April 11 a public holiday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Phule, the 19-century social reformer, anti-caste activist and writer who pioneered women's education in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to pay his tributes on Phule's birth anniversary on Tuesday. "I bow to Mahatma Phule and recall his towering contribution to social justice and empowering the downtrodden. His thoughts give hope and strength to millions." Modi tweeted, attaching a clip of his earlier speeches praising Phule. On his birth anniversary, I bow to Mahatma Phule and recall his towering contribution to social justice and empowering the downtrodden. His thoughts give hope and strength to millions. pic.twitter.com/uCgxXNuMsj — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 11, 2023 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too, lauded Phule's achievements by saying that he "inspires us to work toward bringing social justice and equality in our society." His ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’ inspires us to work toward bringing social justice & equality in our society. pic.twitter.com/aa7215G7Wi — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 11, 2023 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote that the society "is grateful to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule for his struggle for social equality, reformist movement and eradication of evil practices. " महात्मा ज्योतिबा फूले के सामाजिक समानता, सुधारवादी आंदोलन व कुप्रथाओं के निर्मूलन के संघर्षो का समाज कृतज्ञ है। आज उनके स्मरण व सम्मान में प्रदेश सरकार ने सार्वजनिक अवकाश की घोषणा कर महात्मा फूले के पदचिन्हों में चलने के संकल्प को मजबूती दी है। pic.twitter.com/6dHwULWLIH — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) April 11, 2023 Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal paid homage to the late social reformer and tweeted: देश में सामाजिक क्रांति के अग्रदूत, महान समाज सुधारक महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले जी की जयंती पर उन्हें कोटि कोटि नमन। देश में ग़रीबों, महिलाओं, दलितों एवं पिछड़े वर्ग के उत्थान के साथ बालिका शिक्षा को लेकर उनके महान कार्य हम सबके लिए प्रेरणास्रोत हैं। — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 11, 2023 Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani remembered Phule on his birth anniversary and wrote, "Mahatma Jyotiba Phule made an incomparable contribution in the field of women's rights and education in the 19th century." महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले ने 19वीं सदी में स्त्री अधिकारों एवं शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में अतुलनीय योगदान दिया। वंचित एवं पिछड़े वर्गों को सशक्त बनाने हेतु उन्होंने अनेकों सामाजिक कुरीतियों की समाप्ति के लिए संघर्ष किया था। ऐसे महान समाज सुधारक की जयंती पर उन्हें शत्-शत् नमन। pic.twitter.com/jz9upHm7PH — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 11, 2023
