Mayawati Pays Tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on Birth Anniversary
In Lucknow, BSP national president Mayawati commemorated the birth anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on Saturday. She emphasized his profound impact on social change and women's empowerment, while launching a sharp critique against the Samajwadi Party government for altering district names established during the BSP's rule in Uttar Pradesh.
Honoring a Legacy of Social Reform
Mayawati stated that in memory and honor of Jyotiba Phule, a great man born into the most backward class, the BSP government implemented several initiatives in Uttar Pradesh. A key action was designating Amroha as the new Jyotiba Phule Nagar district. However, she accused the Samajwadi Party government of changing its name due to narrow-minded politics and casteist hatred.
"Especially as pioneers of women empowerment through education, the names of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule are etched in golden letters on the pages of history," Mayawati remarked. She quoted Phule's words: "without knowledge, wisdom is lost; without wisdom, ethics is lost. Without ethics, progress is lost; without progress, wealth is lost. Without wealth, the Shudra becomes despondent and contemptible, and remains enslaved."
Educational Inspiration and Social Awakening
The BSP chief highlighted that this enslavement resulted from a lack of education, which inspired Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to later focus intensely on educational advancement. She noted that in the mid-19th century, Jyotiba Phule's relentless efforts for the liberation of Dalits and the exploited sparked a new awakening for social change not only in Pune but across Maharashtra.
Mayawati praised the historic work of women's liberation and empowerment initiated by Phule, stating that no praise or admiration can ever be enough for this struggle. She connected this legacy to the BSP's governance, underscoring how it informed their policies in Uttar Pradesh.
District Renaming Controversy
Detailing the BSP's administrative actions, Mayawati listed several districts created during their tenure:
- Kasganj renamed as Kanshiram Nagar district
- Ramabai Nagar for Kanpur Dehat
- Bhimnagar for Sambhal
- Prabuddha Nagar for Shamli
- Panchsheel Nagar for Hapur
She asserted that while the Samajwadi Party government retained these districts, they altered their names, which she labeled as a very unfortunate aspect of their PDA (Political Development Agenda). This move, according to Mayawati, reflects a disregard for the historical and social significance embedded in the original names.
Mayawati's tribute to Jyotiba Phule serves as a reminder of his enduring influence on social justice and education in India, while her criticism of the SP government highlights ongoing political tensions over legacy and identity in Uttar Pradesh's administrative landscape.
