RPI(A) to celebrate birth anniversaries of Jijabai, Savitribai

Republican Party of India (Athavale), an ally of the ruling BJP, will celebrate the birth anniversaries of Jijabai, mother of Maharaj Shiavji, and social reformer Savitribai Phule jointly here, tomorrow.
The celebrations will be followed by a gathering of women party workers of RPI (A) at Ravindra Natya mandir, the party said in an official statement issued here.
Party's national advisor Seema Ramdas Athavale and Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athavale will address the gathering.
RPI (A)'s decision to organise the birth anniversaries on such a large scale holds significance against the backdrop of recent incident of rape and murder of a minor girl, belonging to Maratha community, from Kopardi in Ahmednagar district, allegedly by Dalit youths.

A few months ago, when Athavale had gone to visit the victim's parents, they refused to meet him. The incident had triggered a state-wide agitation led by Marathas.
Jijabai has been largely appropriated by Maratha community while Savitribai Phule, despite her pioneer work in bringing educational reform for girls in 19th century, has been largely associated with the OBCs in the state.