By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in AGARTALA | April 11, 2026
AGARTALA: The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) today observed the 200th Birth Anniversary of the legendary social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule with due solemnity and respect. The commemorative event was held at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan in Agartala, where party leaders and workers gathered to pay homage to the visionary who dedicated his life to the cause of social justice, education, and the empowerment of the marginalized.
The celebration was marked by a floral tribute ceremony followed by a seminar (discussion meeting) on the enduring relevance of Phule’s ideology in contemporary India.
Honoring a Bicentenary Milestone
The program began with senior leaders, including TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha, garlanding the portrait of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. This year’s anniversary holds special significance as it marks the bicentenary of the reformer’s birth (born April 11, 1827), a milestone that was highlighted throughout the day’s events.
Key Highlights of the Event:
- Floral Tributes: Leaders and supporters from various frontal organizations—including the Mahila Congress and Youth Congress—paid their respects.
- Discussion Seminar: A dedicated session focused on Phule’s founding of the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) and his pioneering efforts in women’s education.
- Commitment to Equality: The party rededicated itself to the principles of secularism and the eradication of caste-based discrimination.
“The Architecture of Social Justice”: Asish Kumar Saha
Addressing the gathering, TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha emphasized that Mahatma Phule was not just a reformer for one community but a “guiding light” for the entire nation.
”Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were the first to break the shackles of ignorance by opening schools for girls and the oppressed at a time when education was a forbidden dream for many. Today, as we mark his 200th birth anniversary, we must remember that the fight for social equality is far from over. The Congress party remains committed to the ‘Satyashodhak’ path—to seek the truth and serve the last person in the queue,” Asish Kumar Saha asserted.
Relevance to the TTAADC Elections
With the TTAADC (ADC) General Elections scheduled for tomorrow (April 12), Congress leaders used the platform to draw parallels between Phule’s struggle for the “oppressed and marginalized” and the current needs of the tribal population in Tripura.
Points Discussed:
- Education in the Hills: Leaders noted the lack of quality infrastructure in remote tribal areas, calling it a deviation from the vision of reformers like Phule.
- Social Harmony: The TPCC urged voters to reject “divisive politics” and embrace the inclusive philosophy that Mahatma Phule championed throughout the 19th century.
A Call for Youth Involvement
The seminar concluded with a call to the youth of Tripura to study the literary works of Phule, such as ‘Gulamgiri’, to understand the roots of systemic social change in India. The TPCC announced that similar commemorative discussions would be organized at the district level to ensure that the bicentenary celebrations reach every corner of the state.
As the sun set on the final day of the election campaign, the event at Congress Bhavan served as a reminder of the intellectual and moral foundations that the party seeks to highlight in its outreach to the electorate.
