Andhra Pradesh CM pays tribute to Jyotirao Phule

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, the noted 19th century social reformer, on the occasion of his 185th birth anniversary tomorrow.

In a message, the chief minister described Phule as a revolutionary, who fought for reservations for backward classes in education, employment and political offices.

"Phule, a messiah of backward classes, not only strived for their uplift but also opened schools exclusively for women and promoted widow marriages."

For his fight for the cause of peasants and lower castes, and his contribution to the field of education, he was regarded as one of the most important social reformers of his times in Maharashtra and was called 'The father of Indian Social Revolution', the Chief Minister said.