The website provides a detailed account of the life and work of S.M. Joshi, a prominent figure in Maharashtra's political landscape, particularly during the struggle for a united Maharashtra and in the socialist movement. 

Early Life and Education

S.M. Joshi, whose full name was Shridhar Mahadev Joshi, was born on November 12, 1904, in Junnar, Pune district. His family originally hailed from a small village called Golap in the Ratnagiri district. Joshi faced poverty and the loss of his father early in his childhood. He moved to Pune, where he independently completed his education. He completed his matriculation from New English School and his BA from Fergusson College in Pune. During his school and college years, Joshi was inspired by Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, which led him to dedicate himself to serving the nation. In 1928, after passing his graduation exam, Joshi fully joined the fight for independence.

Involvement in the Freedom Struggle

During his school days, Joshi became close friends with like-minded individuals like N.G. Gore and R.K. Khadilkar. Together, they formed an organization called the 'Youth League' and started their work for the country. The 'Parvati Satyagraha' during this period provided Joshi with significant experience. Joshi and his colleagues joined the 'Non-Cooperation Movement' launched by Gandhi. He was imprisoned multiple times during the freedom struggle, including six months in Thane, two years in Yerwada, one year in Nashik, two years in Sabarmati, and another year in Nashik. During his time in jail, Joshi and his associates were introduced to Marxism. They combined Marxist goals with Gandhi's principles of pure means, which led some Congress leaders to establish the Socialist Congress Party within the Congress, which Joshi joined. In 1942, during the 'Quit India Movement,' Joshi went underground and continued his work under the alias 'Imam Ali'. After 13 months of underground work, he was arrested in Mumbai and sentenced to two years in prison, which he served in Nashik, Sabarmati, and Yerwada jails.

Post-Independence Political Career

After independence, the socialist group left the Congress and established the independent 'Socialist Party,' which Joshi joined. Although he lost in the 1952 general elections, Joshi was elected to the Mumbai State Legislative Assembly in a 1953 by-election. He was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1957. From 1953 to 1962, Joshi established himself as a strong opposition leader. In 1967, Joshi contested and won the Lok Sabha elections, serving as a member of Parliament from 1967 to 1972. Joshi played a critical role as the General Secretary of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti, which spearheaded the movement for a united Maharashtra. He effectively led the movement and persuaded central leaders to accept the demand for a united Maharashtra. The creation of a united Maharashtra on May 1, 1960, with Mumbai as its capital, was a significant achievement in his political career. Initially, the central government proposed a three-state plan (Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Gujarat), which was then modified to a larger bilingual state of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Mumbai. This was rejected by Maharashtra and ultimately led to the formation of a separate state for Marathi speakers with Mumbai as its capital.

Socialist Ideology and Affiliations

Joshi was a staunch socialist who valued human values. He was also attracted to Gandhi's moral values, particularly the emphasis on truth, non-violence, and Satyagraha. He was known as a "Gandhian among socialists and a socialist among Gandhians". He was a transparent, honest, and principled political leader and a nationalist. Joshi was committed to democracy, secularism, socialism, and humanism. He believed that political power should be in the hands of the common people through democratic means. After independence, the Socialist Party underwent various changes. In 1952, the Socialist Party merged with Acharya Kripalani's 'Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party' to form the 'Praja Socialist Party'. However, in 1955, Dr. Lohia's group left the party. In 1964, these groups reconciled and formed the 'Samyukta Socialist Party,' with Joshi as its president. Some leaders of the former Praja Socialist Party, including Joshi's friend N.G. Gore did not join the new party. Eventually, in 1971, efforts were made to bring everyone together. Joshi served as the leader of the 'Rashtra Seva Dal,' an organization founded on socialist principles, from 1941 to 1943 and again from 1947 to 1954.

Role During the Emergency

During the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi on June 26, 1975, many opposition leaders were imprisoned. Although Joshi was not imprisoned, he traveled across the state, conducting personal meetings to raise awareness about civil liberties and the consequences of the Emergency. He played an important role in bringing Jayaprakash Narayan back into active politics. After the Emergency was lifted in 1977, Joshi contributed significantly to the formation of the 'Janata Party'. He was unanimously elected as the president of the Maharashtra state branch of the newly formed party. Joshi also became the president of the All Party Action Committee, which was part of the national government. Despite the Janata Dal's short lifespan, Joshi made every effort to keep everyone united.

Personal Life and Legacy

Despite holding high positions in Maharashtra and national politics, Joshi lived a very simple life. He was fair-skinned and had sharp features but had a frail physique, which was impacted by his numerous imprisonments in his youth. His attire usually consisted of a khadi dhoti, Nehru shirt, and a black coat. Though his speech was direct, he never intentionally hurt anyone. His wife, Tarabai, passed away in 1986, which deeply affected him. Joshi was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1984. He passed away on April 1, 1989, marking the end of a life dedicated to the nation as a freedom fighter, a socialist leader, and a sensitive human being.

Joshi's Vision

The website also includes a quote by S.M. Joshi on social change, emphasizing the need to dismantle caste-based discrimination to create a new and equitable society, stating that this transformation would lead to the emergence of new leaders who would address people's issues.

This website provides a comprehensive overview of S.M. Joshi's life, his contributions to the freedom movement, his role in the formation of a united Maharashtra, and his lifelong commitment to socialist ideals, making him a significant figure in the history of Maharashtra and India.