Fadnavis pushes for Bharat Ratna for Phule, wife

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to posthumously confer the Bharat Ratna on legendary social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule.

In his letter to Modi, Fadnavis termed Phule as one of the greatest social reformers of Maharashtra in the 19th century as he revolted against the unjust caste system, courageously upheld the cause of untouchables, and took up the cudgels for the poor peasants.

Fadnavis also wrote in the letter, “Savitribai Phule was one of India’s foremost women educationists and social activists.”