Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, (Marathi: पुणे सार्वजनिक सभा) (Also knows as Sarvajanik Sabha^[1] transl. Everyone's organization), was a sociopolitical organisation in British Raj which started with the aim of working as a mediating body between the government and people of India and to popularise the peasants' legal rights.^[2][3]

Sarvajanik Sabha ^[1]

Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
Nickname	Sarvajanik Sabha
Formation	1870
Founder	• Mahadev Govind Ranade[citation needed]
Founded at	Poona, Bombay presidency, British India (Present - Pune, Maharashtra, India)
Dissolved	Yes
Type	Nonprofit
Legal status	Socio-political
Purpose	Activism
Location	India
Membership	6000 (1870)
Key people	Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi

Monthly journal of Pune Sarvajanik Sabha published in 1881

It started as an elected body of 95 members elected by 6000 persons on April 2, 1870.^[4][5] The organisation was a precursor to the Indian National Congress which started with its first session from Maharashtra itself. In 1875 the Sabha sent a petition to the House of Commons demanding India's direct representation in the British Parliament. The Pune Sarvajanik Sabha provided many of the prominent leaders of national stature to the Indian freedom struggle including Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was formed in 1867 by Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi.^[6] Other source say it was founded by Mahadev Govind Ranade, who was a prominent lawyer and later judge in Bombay High Court.

Due to his association with Sarvajanik Sabha, Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi became famous as Sarvajanik Kaka.^[1]

Sarvajanik Sabha appealed to British that UK's government should recognise Indians as their country's citizens.^{[citation needed]}

The ruler of the Aundh State, Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi was the first President of the organisation.^[7] Many eminent personalities such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Hari Deshmukh, Maharshi Annasaheb Patwardhan, etc. served as the Presidents of the organisation.^[7] Other prominent members included Krishnaji Lakshman Nulkar, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Vaman Shivram Apte.

In 2016, Meera Pavagi was elected as the first woman President of the organisation.^{[7][non-primary source needed]}

See also

• Madras Mahajana Sabha

Bibliography

• The Pune Sarvajanik Sabha: the early phase, 1870-1880 - S. R. Mehrotra
• Johari, JC (1993). Voices of India Freedom Movement. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. ISBN 978-81-7158-225-9.
• Bakshi, SR (1993). Mahadev Govind Ranade. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. ISBN 978-81-7041-605-0.

References

1. Svami, V.N. Vidybharti Sampurna Talathi Lekhi Pariksha Margadarshak (in Marathi). Latur, Maharashtra, India: Vidybharti Publication, Latur.
2. The preamble of the constitution of the Sabha lays down: "Whereas it has been deemed expedient that there should exist between the Government and people some institution in the shape of a mediating body which may offer to the latter facilities for knowing the real intentions and objectives of the Government, as also adequate means of securing their rights by making timely representations to Government of the real circumstances in which they were placed, an association has been formed and organised under the appellation of Pune Sarvajanik Sabha." as quoted in Johari 1993, p. 17
3. Spectrum History
4. Johari 1993, p. 17
5. Chandra, Bipan (2010). The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism in India: Economic Policies of Indian National Leadership, 1880-1905. Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 9788124114179.
6. Mehrotra, S. R. (1969). The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha: The Early Phase, 1870-1880. School of Economics.
7. "'पुणे सार्वजनिक सभे'चे अध्यक्षपद प्रथमच महिलेकडे". Loksatta (in Marathi). 29 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2018.