There is a new Trend Observed in UPSC Sociology Optional Mains papers.. Questions Related with Personalities, Particularly Social reformers.
i .e. Jyotiba Phule, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi.
So this year to I m expecting a question related with Personality.
After Writing on Relevance of SATYA SODHAK movement of MAHATMA JYOTIBA PHULE and its relevance in present day context COULD NOT STOP MYSELF FROM SHARING!!
[[Q. Discuss Satya Sodhak movement of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and highlight its relevance in present day context. TEST -4 ]]
Points to Think:
Jyotiba Phule organized a powerful movement against the exploitative structural Social System , value and normative system casteand patriarchy based inequalities, discrimination and exploitation in Maharashtra. He started a school for girls, and the ‘untouchables’, and also a home for widows. He challenged the supremacy of the Brahmans. His two writings – Saravajanik Satyadharma Pustak and Gulamgiri became sources of inspiration for the common masses particularly weaker section of society..
• He founded the SatyaShodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers’ Society) to carry out his crusade against the Brahmanic hegemony.
• The SatyaShodhak Samaj had initiated programme of positive action for women liberation, propagating education, and for economic betterment.
• The middle castes, the Kombis, Malis and Dhangars, developed a sense of identity as a class against Brahmans, who are thought of as exploiters. Kammas, Reddis and Vellalas, the powerful intermediate castes, joined hands against the Brahmanas. Muslims also joined them.
• The main OBJECTIVE OF THE MOVEMENT was to spread AWARENESS, provide SOCIAL SERVICES and spread EDUCATION AMONG LOWER CASTE COMMUNITY.
• His aim was an ideal society with a complete ABOLITION OF CASTE SYSTEM AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES.
• This movement targeted the lower caste community for UPLIFTING and giving them a SENSE OF IDENTITY.
RELEVANCE IN PRESENT DAY CONTEXT
In present society Satya Sodhak Movement of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule is very relevant. In wake of increasing cases of discrimination, inequalities and instances of mob lynching or social isolation among caste groups teachings of JYOTIBHA PHULE is very relevant.
· According to William A. Haviland, “Although India’s national constitution of 1950 sought to abolish cast discrimination and the practice of untouchability, the caste system remains deeply entrenched in rural India. In what has been called India’s “HIDDEN APARTHEID”, entire villages in many Indian states remain completely segregated by caste. Representing about 15 percent of India’s population—or some 160 million people—the widely scattered Dalits endure near complete social isolation, humiliation, and discrimination based exclusively on their birth status. They may not cross the line dividing their part of the village from that occupied by higher castes, drink water from public wells, or visit the same temples as the higher castes.
· DALIT CHILDREN ARE STILL OFTEN MADE TO SIT IN THE BACK OF CLASSROOMS. Whereas the world has entered in the third millennium and is progressing towards accomplishing the goals and liberty and equality and fraternity still India has failed to eradicate untouchability and caste and descent-based discrimination.
· THE CASTE PROBLEM IS NOT THE PROBLEM OF DALIT ONE BUT ALSO THE PROBLEM OF ENTIRE NATION and without the annihilation of caste and the elimination of other primordial identities, India will not truly progress.
· AS A RESULT OF REFORMS INITIATED AND ADVOCATED BY JYOTIBA PHULE, Today dalits have POSITIVE IDENTITY. SOME DALITS REACHING HIGHER LEVELS IN PROFESSIONS, BUSINESS AND POLITICS, SOME ARE ECONOMICALLY WELL OFF. But some Dalits still suffer from SOCIAL STIGMA AND REACTIONARY POLITICAL DISCRIMINATION.
· Discriminations against Dalits typically MANIFEST itself in the private sector with respect to employments and social mobility. DALIT AND PREJUDICES AGAINST DALITS ARE REINFORCED BY CASTEIST VIEWS. THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO OBVIOUS THEMSELVES IN CASTE-RELATED VIOLENCE. Dalits are often denied the basic rights of education, housing property rights, freedom of religion, choice of employment and equal treatments in many parts of country. Till today caste-mind set exist in our country. This kind of mind set should be removed from the society.
· INTERNAL CHANGE CAN BE MADE BY WOMEN, through education. CHARLES FOURIER, “Social advances and changes of periods are brought about by virtue of the progress of women towards liberty, and the decadences of the social order are brought about by virtue of the decrease of liberty of women… the extension of privileges to women is the general principle of all social progress.” Every woman should be educated in society then only our society will progress. THIS IMPORTANT OF EDUCATION AND FREEDOM JYOTIBA SAW AND HE DID WORK FOR THAT. We have to make our mind to spread knowledge of Mahatma Phule as a philosopher of emancipation to all the oppressed anywhere in the world, and to fulfill the assurance.
· Savitribai was the first biographer of Jyotiba Phule Savitribai internalized the vision and philosophy of Jyotiba and a devoted supporter of his work. IN HER LITERATURE SHE HAS REPEATED THE DISTRESS, ASPIRATIONS, AND FEELINGS OF MODERN, LIBERATED WOMAN OF INDIA. HER COMPOSITION ALSO REFLECTED TO ANGER OF THE NEW EMERGING WOMAN OF INDIA WHO WANTED TO BE TREATED AS A HUMAN BEING AND NOT JUST AS AN OBJECT OF MALE-LUST.
· JYOTIBA PHULE’S SOCIAL THOUGHTS ARE BASED ON HUMANISM. It is based on the values like equality, Justice and tranquillity. He spread value based system through his work and thought. Our country is independent still independent values are not there in our society. Reason is Varna and caste system is still follow in some part of our country. Jyotiba’s humanism is true and modern. In modern civilization every individual should follow his humanism.
· TODAY EDUCATION HAS BEEN REDUCED TO TRANSMITTING INFORMATION. THERE IS A FEAR OF EXAMINATION BECAUSE OF BOOKISH EDUCATION. Little bit we have to be practical in system, we have to brought life-oriented education. In this context, PHULE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM IS STILL VERY RELEVANT. FOR HIM KNOWLEDGE WAS NOT JUST INFORMATION. IT INVOLVES QUESTIONING, UNDERSTANDING CRITIQUING KNOWLEDGE. Interpretation, critique and values all three are central to Phule who way back in the 19th century gave an alternative to the information approach to knowledge. For him, “EDUCATION IS THE POWER TO THINK CLEARLY, THE POWER TO ACT WELL IN THE WORLD’S WORK, AND THE POWER TO APPRECIATE LIFE”.
· For Phule knowledge matters because it can question, change and transform the individual and society. Thus for Phule, LIKE JOHN DEWEY EDUCATION CAN EMPOWER AND MAKE SOCIETY MORE DEMOCRATIC. IT CAN HELP IN RECONSTRUCTING, RETHINKING, INTERPRETING TRADITION. This aspect of Phule is extremely relevant in the paradoxical context of caste in contemporary India- where despite constitutional provisions, caste discrimination is widespread.
Phule’s ideas still give sense of unity and identity to isolated group and help in generating solidarity.