Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh honor Jyotirao Phule with tributes

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotirao Govinda Rao Phule, a social scientist and philosopher, on his 197th birth anniversary. Chandrasekhar Rao praised Phule’s dedication to fighting against hegemonic values and promoting equality for all, which still serves as an inspiration today. Phule’s efforts to uplift Dalits, tribal, and backward communities against caste and gender discrimination almost 200 years ago paved the way for a radical change in traditional social values and systems in Indian society. The government is implementing development and welfare programs to fulfill the aspirations of great people like Phule, prioritizing the weaker sections through the policy of “Development is an antidote to discrimination.” Similarly, Jagan Mohan Reddy called Phule a pioneer of social justice and women empowerment movements in modern India who believed that education is key to development and justice.