Why Glorify a Fictional Character Like Fatima?

Turning one reference into a grand historical narrative undermines the integrity of truth and history.

For decades, certain self-proclaimed scholars and fake pandits have sought to confuse society by promoting false ideas and distorted history.

During the pre-Independence period, the British, particularly Christian missionaries, laid the groundwork for these narratives. After Independence, they were carried forward by some left-leaning writers, intellectuals, BAMSCEF-linked communists, covert Naxal sympathisers, and self-styled progressives.

These fabricated narratives were spread through novels, films, and other cultural platforms, shaping public life. Government machinery of the time supported this effort and, to some extent, continues to do so today.

From Akbar to Aurangzeb, portrayed as symbols of Hindu–Muslim unity, foreign Muslim invaders have been steadily glorified from school textbooks to university curricula. In contrast, the heroic era of Shivaji, under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is confined to a few lines.

History has been deliberately reshaped. Religious episodes such as Ekalavya’s thumb-cutting, the killing of Shambuka, the alleged murder of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, and the vilification of the Peshwas who carried saffron flags beyond the Attock are repeatedly highlighted. Claims of inhumane practices, the Bhima Koregaon incident, and the alleged oppression of Mahatma Phule and his wife are also emphasised.

These narratives are consistently promoted to create and deepen divisions within Hindu society.

All these narratives have been deliberately promoted to create confusion and social division within Hindu society. A fictional figure, Fatima Sheikh, lacking historical evidence, is now being projected in public life and placed on par with Savitribai Phule.

A campaign is underway to observe her birth anniversary on 9 January. She is being described as an “education expert” and “social reformer”, backed by fabricated stories and exaggerated imagery, despite there being no historical basis for such claims.

Efforts are also being made in schools and educational institutions to portray her as a colleague of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.

Without facts or truth

In recent years, Savitribai Phule’s birth anniversary in Maharashtra has been observed with due respect. Alongside this, however, a fictional narrative and character—Fatima Sheikh—have been subtly introduced, with attempts to place her on the same level as Savitribai Phule.

This promotion is presented as part of a wider effort to spread false narratives and create social confusion. It has moved beyond Maharashtra, with the Karnataka government even announcing an award in Fatima Sheikh’s name.

In parts of Delhi, from streets to schools and colleges, proposals have reportedly been made to replace the traditional worship of Goddess Saraswati with celebrations of Fatima Sheikh’s birth anniversary on the same day as Savitribai Phule’s.

There is no contemporary historical evidence of Fatima Sheikh, nor any reference to her in Mahatma Phule’s collected writings, apart from a brief mention in one letter. Yet, on this basis alone, a movement has emerged to mark a birth anniversary on 9 January through schools, seminars, public events, and social media.

Among ordinary people, a key question remains. Is this effort intended to place Fatima Sheikh on par with Savitribai Phule or to diminish Savitribai Phule’s social importance? Many view this as a clear example of how false narratives and fabricated history are created.

It is therefore argued that society must itself challenge and dismantle such attempts, rejecting false history and upholding the truth.

The lie exposed

In Maharashtra, the first week of January is marked by respectful commemorations of Savitribai Phule across schools, colleges, universities, and social organisations. Tributes are also paid to Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule for their social work.

Alongside these observances, however, Fatima Sheikh is being subtly introduced. Claims are being made about her alleged role in the Phule couple’s work, with attempts to glorify her.

This narrative has been challenged by Professor Deepak Mandal of Delhi, who has stated that Fatima Sheikh does not appear in Savitribai Phule’s biography and had little or no historical connection to her life. Similar conclusions have been drawn by several researchers in Maharashtra.

As a result, the fictional nature of Fatima Sheikh’s image and alleged birth anniversary has come to light, exposing those promoting these false claims.

Mahatma Phule’s writings contain no detailed reference to Fatima Sheikh. She is mentioned only once, in a single line of a letter written by Savitribai Phule on 10 October 1856.

Such a brief reference does not establish her as an educationist or social reformer, nor is there any historical evidence of her birth or death.

How appropriate, then, is it to elevate a figure known only from one line of correspondence, assign her a fictional image and birth anniversary, and place her on the same level as Savitribai Phule?

It also raises a deeper question: why is a fictional figure being created and glorified while Savitribai Phule is being respectfully remembered?

(The writer is a resident of Akola. Views personal.)