Mahatma Jotiba Phule, a 19th-century social reformer, was renowned for his relentless opposition to caste-based discrimination and his advocacy for the rights of the marginalized, particularly the backward classes. In contemporary times, organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), collectively referred to as Hindutva forces, have sought to align themselves with Phule's legacy. This alignment, however, appears paradoxical given Phule's staunch criticism of texts like the Manusmriti, which he believed perpetuated social hierarchies. Here are ten specific reasons illustrating how the RSS and BJP have endeavored to appropriate Phule's legacy:
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Symbolic Recognition: The BJP's Maharashtra unit proposed awarding the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, to Jotiba Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, acknowledging their contributions to social reform.
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Public Commemorations: The RSS has organized events honoring Phule, such as installing statues in his memory. However, these efforts have faced criticism. For instance, during a conclave in Marunji village, the RSS honored individuals presented as Phule's descendants. Activists contended that these individuals were related to Phule's brother, who had not supported Phule's reformist work, suggesting a superficial engagement with his legacy.
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Ideological Reinterpretation: The RSS and BJP have attempted to reinterpret Phule's teachings to align with their broader Hindutva ideology, emphasizing a unified Hindu identity while downplaying Phule's critiques of Brahmanical dominance.
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Educational Initiatives: By incorporating Phule's life and work into educational curricula, these organizations aim to present him as a national icon, potentially reframing his anti-caste stance within a broader cultural narrative.
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Political Endorsements: BJP leaders have publicly praised Phule's contributions, positioning the party as a champion of social justice, despite historical associations with ideologies that Phule critiqued.
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Strategic Alliances: The BJP has forged alliances with caste-based groups that identify with Phule's legacy, aiming to broaden its electoral appeal among marginalized communities.
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Development Programs: Naming welfare schemes after Phule serves to associate the party with his reformist image, suggesting a commitment to upliftment akin to Phule's mission.
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Cultural Events: Sponsoring events that celebrate Phule's legacy allows these organizations to embed themselves within local traditions and histories associated with social reform.
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Literature Promotion: Publishing literature that highlights Phule's contributions enables the dissemination of a narrative that aligns his legacy with contemporary political agendas.
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Leadership Comparisons: BJP leaders have drawn parallels between current party figures and Phule. For example, BJP leader Chitra Wagh compared Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil to Phule, suggesting a continuity of social reform within the party's ranks.
Several political leaders influenced by Phule's ideology have found a place within the RSS and BJP framework:
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Murli Manohar Joshi: A founding member of the BJP, Joshi has been influenced by the teachings of Jotiba Phule, B.R. Ambedkar, and Deendayal Upadhyaya. He served as the Union Human Resource Development Minister and has been a prominent advocate for integrating Phule's principles into national education policies.
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Om Prakash Dhankar: With a political career spanning over three decades, Dhankar has held key positions within the BJP and its affiliate organizations. His work reflects an emphasis on social justice and farmer rights, resonating with Phule's advocacy for the marginalized.
The appropriation of Phule's legacy by the RSS and BJP illustrates a complex interplay between historical narratives and contemporary political strategies. While these organizations seek to associate themselves with Phule's reformist image, critics argue that such appropriations may overlook or reinterpret the foundational anti-caste principles that defined Phule's mission.
Jotirao Phule, also known as Mahatma Phule, was a 19th-century social reformer, thinker, and anti-caste activist who vehemently opposed the caste system, Brahmanical dominance, and the oppressive structures enshrined in texts like the Manusmriti. He championed the rights of women, Shudras, and Ati-Shudras (Dalits) and worked tirelessly for their education and social upliftment. His ideology was rooted in social justice, equality, and rationalism, which often put him at odds with orthodox Hindu practices and hierarchies.
In contemporary times, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have attempted to appropriate Jotiba Phule and his legacy, despite the fact that his ideas often contradicted the traditionalist and Hindutva ideologies they espouse. This appropriation is part of a broader strategy to co-opt anti-caste and social justice icons to expand their political base, particularly among Dalits, OBCs, and other marginalized communities. Below are 10 specific reasons explaining how and why RSS-BJP have sought to own Jotiba Phule and his followers, along with examples of political leaders who were Phule followers but are now aligned with RSS-BJP:
1. Strategic Co-optation of Social Justice Icons
RSS-BJP have historically faced criticism for being dominated by upper-caste leadership and for promoting a Brahmanical version of Hinduism. By appropriating Phule, who is revered by Dalits and OBCs, they aim to project themselves as inclusive and progressive.
Example: BJP leaders often invoke Phule’s name during elections to appeal to OBC and Dalit voters, even though Phule’s ideology was fundamentally opposed to Brahmanical Hinduism.
2. Selective Interpretation of Phule’s Work
RSS-BJP selectively highlight Phule’s critique of Islam and Christianity to align him with their Hindutva agenda, while downplaying his radical critique of Brahmanism and the caste system.
Example: Phule’s criticism of foreign religions is often exaggerated by Hindutva forces to portray him as a Hindu nationalist, ignoring his broader critique of Hindu orthodoxy.
3. Emphasis on Phule’s Hindu Identity
RSS-BJP emphasize Phule’s Hindu identity to fit him into their narrative of a unified Hindu society, despite Phule’s rejection of caste-based Hinduism and his creation of the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-Seekers’ Society) as an alternative to Brahmanical Hinduism.
Example: BJP leaders often refer to Phule as a “Hindu reformer” to appropriate his legacy while ignoring his radical anti-caste stance.
4. Use of Phule’s Legacy for Electoral Gains
Phule’s popularity among OBCs and Dalits makes him a valuable symbol for RSS-BJP to attract these communities, especially in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Example: During the 2014 and 2019 general elections, BJP leaders frequently invoked Phule’s name to connect with OBC voters.
5. Appropriation of Phule’s Educational Reforms
Phule’s work in promoting education for women and marginalized communities is highlighted by RSS-BJP to showcase their commitment to social reform, even though their own educational institutions (like Vidya Bharati) often promote a conservative, caste-based worldview.
Example: BJP leaders often cite Phule’s efforts to establish schools for girls as evidence of their commitment to women’s empowerment.
6. Inclusion of Phule in RSS-BJP Cultural Narratives
RSS-BJP have incorporated Phule into their cultural and historical narratives, portraying him as a “Hindu reformer” who worked to “purify” Hinduism, rather than as a radical critic of the caste system.
Example: RSS-affiliated organizations often organize events and lectures on Phule’s birth anniversary, focusing on his Hindu identity rather than his anti-caste activism.
7. Co-opting Phule’s Followers and Descendants
Some of Phule’s followers and political leaders inspired by his ideology have joined RSS-BJP, either due to ideological shifts or political convenience.
Example: Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar and a prominent Dalit leader, has occasionally allied with BJP, despite Ambedkar’s and Phule’s shared critique of Hindutva.
8. Phule as a Symbol of OBC Empowerment
RSS-BJP use Phule’s legacy to appeal to OBC communities, who constitute a significant portion of the Indian electorate. By associating themselves with Phule, they aim to counter the perception that they are an upper-caste party.
Example: BJP’s OBC leaders, such as Bhupendra Yadav and Thawar Chand Gehlot, often invoke Phule’s name to connect with OBC voters.
9. Downplaying Phule’s Critique of Brahmanism
RSS-BJP downplay Phule’s scathing critique of Brahmanical Hinduism and his call for a complete overhaul of the caste system, focusing instead on his contributions to education and social reform.
Example: BJP leaders rarely mention Phule’s rejection of the Manusmriti or his call for a casteless society.
10. Political Leaders Who Were Phule Followers but Aligned with RSS-BJP
Some political leaders who were initially inspired by Phule’s ideology have shifted their allegiance to RSS-BJP for political gains.
Ramdas Athawale: A Dalit leader and follower of Ambedkarite ideology, Athawale has allied with BJP as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Eknath Khadse: A prominent OBC leader from Maharashtra and former BJP minister, Khadse has often invoked Phule’s legacy to connect with OBC voters.
Conclusion:
The appropriation of Jotiba Phule by RSS-BJP is a strategic move to broaden their appeal among marginalized communities while diluting his radical anti-caste message. By selectively highlighting certain aspects of his work and downplaying others, they attempt to present themselves as inheritors of his legacy, despite the fundamental contradictions between Phule’s vision of social justice and the Hindutva ideology. This co-optation is part of a larger pattern of appropriating anti-caste icons like B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar to consolidate political power, often at the expense of their original ideals.
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