Satyashodhak Samaj was founded with a purpose to give education to the lower casts. Scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and made them aware of the exploiting tradition of society. It was founded by Jyotirao Phule in 1873 in Pune by keeping certain thoughts and ideas in mind like ideals of human well-being, happiness, unity and equality. He had also started a newspaper named "Deenbandhu" which provided the voice for the views of the Samaj.
Satyashodhak Samaj imposed a ban on the admission of the high-class people, aristocrats, bureaucracy and Brahmins. This society only admits in it the members of Shudra Samaj or the people of lower caste. Upper caste members can only become members of the society by analyzing its actions and habit. The society attacked the Brahmins who considered themselves as the messenger of God and considered them as the medium of contact, between people and God and hence opposed the bureaucracy of Brahmins in their times. They rejected the Upanishads and Vedic culture and also rejected to respect the Aryan society; according to them, Aryan Samaj is concentrated on destroying the non Aryan Samaj.
Objectives of Satyashodhak Samaj
The main objectives of the organisation were to liberate the Shudras and to prevent their exploitation by the Brahmins. The Satyashodhak Samaj has following objectives:
i. To set free the Shudras and Ati Shudras from the exploiting policies of Brahmins,
ii. Convincing and persuading every individual that he/ she is a child of one God who is thus their parent.
iii. There is no requirement of intermediary such as priest or a preceptor to approach the mother or father to offer his prayer to God.
Constitutional Body of Satyashodhak Samaj
In 1876 there were 316 members of the Satyashodhak Samaj. Jyotirao Phule was elected as the first president and treasurer of the Satyashodhak Samaj and Narayanrao Govindrao Kadalak was elected as its first secretary. Following oath and affirmations has to be taken by all the members which are willing to participate in the society at the branches of Satyashodhak Samaj. Membership of the Samaj was extended to all the castes including Mahars, Mangs, Jews and Muslims.
Works of Satyashodhak Samaj
Weekly meetings were held on Sundays at the places where branches of the Satyashodhak Samaj were established. The following subjects were discussed in the weekly meetings:
1. The necessity of education in the people of lower class.
2. The society promulgates cottage industries and also highlights the importance of Indian goods.
3. Eradicating the status which is given to Brahmins in the religious field.
4. Making such changes which allow men and women to get into marriage at minimum expenses.
5. To set free men from the handcuffs of the beliefs of ghosts and demons, astronomy, study of stars, prediction, etc.
6. The main attack was upon the caste system and idol-worship.
7. The society called God as their father and thus asked an individual to live with fraternity and brotherhood between them.
The movement of Satyashodhak Samaj was not stopped and kept alive after Jyotirao Phule"s death by early Maratha ruler of Kolhapur Princely State, Shahu Maharaj. Later, it was followed by Bhaurao Patil and Maratha leaders such as Keshavrao Jedhe, Nana Patil, Khanderao Bagal and Madhavrao Bagal.
