Title of 'Mahatma'
The great social reformer Jotirao Phule was bestowed with the unique title of ‘Mahatma’ on 11 May 1888 by another great social reformer from Mumbai, Rao Bahadur Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar. As the history goes, Jotirao Phule had completed 60 years of his age and 40 years of social service fighting for the rights of the ‘bahujans’. To mark this achievement, it was decided by the bahujans and satyashodhak leaders and workers to felicitate Jotirao Phule. Rao Bahadur Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar, Narayan Meghaji Lokhande were in the forefront for arranging this function. Rao Bahadur Vandekar and his fellow workers decided to bestow the title of ‘Mahatma’ on Jotirao Phule for his dedicated service in the cause of humanity. Hon. Sayajirao Maharaj of Baroda, who also was invited for this function, could not attend the function. He had sent a message that Jotirao Phule be bestowed with the title of ‘Hindustan’s Booker T. Washington’. However, Rao Bahadur Vithalrao Vandekar explained the reasons for bestowing the title of ‘Mahatma’ on Jotirao Phule justifying it to be apt for the great work and sacrifice of Jotirao Phule for the downtrodden. On 11 May 1888, a function was arranged in the meeting hall of ‘Mumbai Deshastha Maratha Dnyati-Dharma Sanstha’ at Mandvi, Koliwada, Mumbai for felicitating Jotirao Phule. As the function began, Rao Bahadur Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar explained in detail about the work and sacrifice of Jotirao Phule and his struggle for the rights of the downtrodden bahujans. He then garlanded Jotirao Phule and declared that ‘we people present here, with swasphurti, are bestowing the title of Mahatma upon Jotirao Phule!’. Thus Jotirao Phule came to be known as Mahatma Jotirao Phule thereafter. Information of the above historic event has been given in detail in the Hindi book ‘Yugpurush Mahatma Phule’ published by the Government of Maharashtra on 11 May 1993 to mark the 105th anniversary of the above historic function. This book has been written by Murlidhar Jagtap and published by Mahatma Phule Charitra Sadhaney Prakashan Samiti, c/o Higher & Technical Education Dept., Government of Maharashtra, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032. The then Hon. Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra Shri Sharad Pawar & Co-ordinator, Mahatma Phule Charitra Sadhaney Prakashan Samiti, Govt. of Maharashtra Shri Hari Narke etc. have written foreword/introduction for this book. he had 40 years of social service
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