Explain the following statements with reasons.

Mahatma Phule conducted a strike of barbers.

It was in 11th April 1827 that Mahatma Phule conducted a strike of barbers. he launched the first-ever campaign for widow remarriage. He worked along with Vishnu Shastri Bapat. Phule travelled from place to place for this motive. He also ran child care home for children and widows. His wife Savitribhai Phule also accompanied him in all social activities. They took the responsibility to protect the Brahmin widow and took bold steps to encourage widow remarriage.

The main reasons for the strike of barbers were:

• To make the barbers to boycott the custom of shaving the head of the Brahmin widow. It was the scariest custom among the Brahmins, and after removing the hair, the widow was completely put in isolation and treated as the symbol of ultimate bad luck.

• He was totally against the custom of widowhood.

• He wanted to ensure residents of the poor young widows and also make a change in the attitude of Brahmins and other people towards widows.

• He wanted to ensure a better living condition to widows.