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Journalism of Courage
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.
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.”
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. ”
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal paid homage to the late social reformer and tweeted:
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.”
