Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi (9 April 1828 – 25 July 1880), popularly known as ''Sarwajanik Kaka'', was a lawyer, social reformer, and political activist. He was a founding member of
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. He was a great support system for the noble works initiated and carried out successfully by Honorable Justice
Mahadev Govind Ranade.
He was a social activist in Pune when Maharashtrian revival began, and he was the elderly guiding philosopher when
Tilak
In Dharmic culture, the ''tilaka'' ( sa, तिलक) () is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the Ajna chakra, or sometimes another part of the body such as the neck, hand, chest or arm. ''Tilaka'' may be worn daily or for ...
and
Agarkar's generation gave impetus to Indian independence struggle. Joshi also represented
Vasudev Balwant Phadke as his lawyer in Phadke's trial.
Joshi had a daughter who was married to
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale ( �ɡoːpaːl ˈkrɪʂɳə ˈɡoːkʰleː9 May 1866 – 19 February 1915) was an Indian 'moderate' political leader and a social reformer during the Indian independence movement. Gokhale was a senior leader of the India ...
.
At the
Delhi Durbar of 1877, wearing "''homespun spotless white khadi''" Joshi rose to ask of the
Viceroy of India
The Governor-General of India (1773–1950, from 1858 to 1947 the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, commonly shortened to Viceroy of India) was the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom and after Indian independence in 19 ...
(then the
1st Earl of Lytton), that Her Majesty the Queen might:
Grant to India the same political and social status as is enjoyed by her British subjects.
With this demand, it can be said that the campaign for a
free India was formally launched, which was the beginning of a great transformation for India.
[KESAVAN MUKUL
(Sunday, 29 May 2005) "''STORY OF THE CONGRESS - Three pivotal moments that shaped early nationalism in India''", The Telegraph, Calcutta, retrieved 3/19/200]
nationalism
/ref>
Joshi died on 25 July 1880 due to heart trouble.
References
Indian independence activists from Maharashtra
Marathi people
Indian social reformers
1828 births
1880 deaths
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