The Inspiration
The Inspiration
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Unsung hero of social reforms in Indian Society
Justice Keshavrao Koratkar (1867 – 1932); born in a poor brahmin family, rose to become high court judge in the erstwhile Nizam state. Keshavrao, with his commitment to educational and social reforms made immense contribution to educational institutes, newspapers and magazines in the state. He truly believed the educational reforms to be the foundation to bring in social reforms and social reforms to be imperative for the progress of the society. Pursuant to his belief, he struggled to bring in change to the society all his life. He was a hero for the Marathi community and the Hindus at large, in the Nizam state during his time. Salute to this unsung hero of social reforms in Indian society!
Keshavrao, my great grandfather, my hero, is my inspiration to give back to the society. I pray to seek his wisdom and zeal in pursuit of betterment of the society. Here I present you in brief, the life story of Justice Keshavrao Koratkar
Girish Ghate
Professional Life
Keshavrao was born in 1867 in a poor brahmin family in Marathwada under the then Nizam state. At the age of 15, he had to take up a job in a tehsil office in Gulbarga to take care of his livelihood and support his education. With his hard work and perseverance he completed his education in law and got his charter to work as advocate at the age of 23. After practicing in session court in Gulbarga for about six years, he moved to Hyderabad to practice in high court. With his deep understanding of the work and proficiency in Marathi, Urdu and English, he soon became a very successful lawyer in the high court and worked as a leading practitioner for over 25 year. While at the helm of his career as lawyer, he was invited by Nizam government to be a part of high court bench. This appointment was of a great pride for the Hindu and Marathi community in the state. Keshavrao worked for five years as high court judge before retirement.
Education & Literacy
Keshvrao truly believed that education & literacy is the fundamental need to bring in reforms in the society. His mission to propagate education was revolutionary in the times when the literacy rate was less than 3%. Keshavrao was of the opinion that newspapers, magazines and books are the best tools to propagate literacy in adults. His contribution to this domain was unmatched.
He co-founded Vivek Vardhini Education Society in 1907 in Hyderabad, which blossomed into a renowned educational institute and is still in existence for over 100 years. He was instrumental in nurturing number of educational institutes in erstwhile Nizam state which are still in operation even after 100 years as reputed educational institutes. To name a few, Nutan Vidyalay Gulbarga, Shree Saraswati Bhuan Vidyalay Aurangabad, Sharada Mandir Aurangabad, Excelsior High School Hyderabad. He wholeheartedly supported contemporaneous newspapers and magazines including Nizam Vijay, Nagarik, Rajhans, Rayyat, Dnyanprakash. He was closely associated with libraries and publishers such as Balwant Vachanalay Aurangabad and Aaryabhushan Pune. He was active member of Maharashtriya Vachanalay Parishad and was it’s chairman in 1926. He was vice chairman of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1931 and was chief organizer for 15th convention held in Hyderabad. He always took pride in having close association with Deccan Education Society Pune. He was invited as speaker in Vasant Vyakyan Maala in Pune; a renowned lecture series attended by great thinkers of that time.
Social Reforms
Keshaorao had progressive thinking and vision about the fabric of the society and strongly advocated structural reforms in the society. He believed social reforms to be the prerequisite for the progress of the society. His thoughts were truly revolutionary for the orthodox society of his time.
Keshavrao was greatly influenced by the teachings of Aarya Samaj and was chairman of Aarya Samaj wing of Hyderabad for several years. He pursued his mission for social reforms through various social organizations which he co-founded or actively nurtured to achieve his goals. Some of these organizations include Hyderabad Samajik Sudharana Sangh, Samajik Parishad Hyderabad, Maharashtra Hindu Dharm Parishad, Social Service League Hyderabad. He was on the panel of law board for Nizam state for making law, especially in the interest of Hindus in the state.
Some of the social reforms he pursued all his life included awareness against untouchability, remarriage of young widows, increasing the legal age for marriage, banning juvenile sex in child marriages, rights of widows in family property. Keshavrao participated in 1911 sahabhojan; lunch with people across the castes, organized in Pune. For this Keshavrao faced boycott in his own house and in the society for a long time. Being on the panel of law board for the Nizam state, he could bring in many amendments in the law for which he faced immense resistance from his colleagues and conservative Hindus. He of course could not bring in few crucial reforms in the law due to the opposition in the panel and pressure from the society. He continued his efforts for social reforms till the end of his life without getting disheartened.
Politics
Keshavrao did not take active part in contemporary politics. He prioritised social reforms over politics as first need of the society. However he had great appreciation and affection to Congress movement in British India. He believed in moderate thoughts proposed by Gopalkrishna Gokhale but had great respect and association with Lokmaya Tilak as well. Chaphekar brothers assassinated British officer, Rand in Pune as a revenge of his extreme atrocities on the people of India. While Damodar Chaphekar was caught, Balkrishna Chaphekar went underground in erstwhile Nizam state. He was facing extreme conditions and fell sick while still underground. On behest of Lokmaya Tilak, Keshavrao helped Balkrishna Chaphekar to overcome the illness and difficulties. Keshavrao made this possible taking immense risk as he was then in service of Nizam as high court judge.
Later after the death of Keshavrao, Vinayakrao, Keshavrao's son founded Keshav Memorial Education Institute in Hyderabad. Tricolour flag of independent India was hoisted in Keshav Memorial on 15th August 1947 when Hyderabad was still under Nizam rule. Nizam police cracked down on the freedom fighters causing bloodshed. the movement finally lead to merger of Nizam state in India.
Influence
Keshavrao was fortunate to be influenced by the thoughts of legends of his time with whom he worked closely. He had great respect for Lokmanya Tilak and had opportunities to exchange thoughts about building of a progressive society. Lokmanya Tilak could only trust Keshavrao while handling sensitive issue of Balwant Chaphekar. Keshavrao worked very closely with great social reformer Maharshee Annasaheb Karve in various social organizations. He toured Europe along with Annasaheb to study liberal society of west. Keshavrao had close friendship with renowned educationist Wrangler Paranjape who was with him even in his final moments.
It would be inappropriate if names of some of his close colleagues are not mentioned here, who walked along with Keshavrao through out his journey of social reforms. Some of them include Vaman Naik of Hyderabad, Vitthal Deulgaokar and Giriraoanna Ghate Jahagirdar of Gulbarga. Although Keshavrao did not involve in active politics, two of his close followers rose in politics of free India to new hight. His son Vinayakrao Koratkar got elected as member of legislature of Hyderabad state and worked as finance minister in cabinet. One of his staunch followers, Shree Kashinath Vaidya got elected as member of legislature of Hyderabad state and was elected as speaker in 1952.
Justice Kashinath Vaidya wrote a book on Keshavrao Koratkar in 1936. Justice Narendra Chapalgavkar with his edition and preface published a book under Rajhans Prakashan Pvt Ltd in 2015. References in this article have been drawn from this book.
Keshavrao Koratkar,
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keshav_Rao_KoratkarHyderabad Samajik Sudharana Sangh,
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Samajik_Sudhar_SanghAarya Samaj, Arya Samaj in Hyderabad state,
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arya_SamajKeshav Memorial Educational Society,
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