Writer and activist Dilip Mandal has publicly claimed that Fatima Sheikh, celebrated as Bharat’s first Muslim school teacher and a feminist icon, is a fictional character he created. Mandal’s confession, posted on X on January 9, 2025, has sent shockwaves through social and academic circles, questioning the authenticity of a narrative that has gained significant traction in recent years.
In a post titled “Confession,” Mandal admitted to fabricating the identity of Fatima Sheikh, stating unequivocally that she “never existed.” He wrote: “I had created a myth or a fabricated character and named her Fatima Sheikh. Please forgive me. The truth is that ‘Fatima Sheikh’ never existed; she is not a historical figure. It is my mistake that, during a particular phase, I created this name out of nothing—essentially from thin air. I did that knowingly.”
He further elaborated that no historical records, photographs, or references to Fatima Sheikh existed before he created the character. According to Mandal, “Fatima Sheikh” was first introduced to the public around 15 years ago, and any mention of her before that time is non-existent.
Mandal revealed his intention behind creating Fatima Sheikh was to construct a figure for specific purposes during a particular period. He claimed: “I know the art of creating narratives, of building images. I have mastered this craft, so it was not difficult for me. A fictional sketch was created because there were no old photographs. I spun many stories about her. And thus, Fatima Sheikh came into being. The story spread. Those who needed this narrative for political and ideological purposes amplified it.”
He emphasised that his actions were deliberate and calculated, asserting that thousands of people were introduced to the name Fatima Sheikh through him. Mandal also stated that the absence of any reference to Fatima Sheikh in historical documents before 2006 supports his claim.
Fatima Sheikh has been regarded as a colleague of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule in Maharashtra. She is credited with pioneering education for lower-caste girls and promoting social reform alongside the Phules. However, Mandal pointed out glaring inconsistencies in this narrative:
Wikipedia and Media Narratives
Despite Mandal’s claims, Fatima Sheikh has been extensively featured in media articles, celebrated as a trailblaser in women’s education and an anti-caste activist. A Wikipedia article describes her as a feminist icon, and Google even commemorated her 191st birthday on January 9, 2022, with a doodle.
However, Mandal contested the references cited in the Wikipedia article. He noted that most of them are recent, aligning with his claim that the narrative was fabricated in the last 15 years. He specifically addressed a reference in the book Women Writing in Bharat: 600 B.C. to the Early Twentieth Century (1991), which mentions Fatima Sheikh in a single line as a colleague of the Phules. Mandal argued that this does not constitute substantial evidence of her existence or significant contributions.
Mandal’s confession has sparked a heated debate. Critics have accused him of fabricating history for political and ideological purposes. He responded to these allegations: “Do not ask why I did it. It was a matter of time and circumstance. A figure needed to be constructed for a purpose, so I crafted one. Thousands of people can attest to this—most of them heard this name from me for the first time.”
He also challenged detractors to find any reference to Fatima Sheikh’s birthday celebrations or mention of her contributions before 2006. Mandal asserted:
“Show me any mention of this name anywhere before 2006! No Muslim scholar has mentioned this name till 15 years ago. British documents mention the educational work of the Phule couple. But there is no name like Fatima Sheikh.”
Prominent YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh challenged Mandal’s statement, presenting a counterargument with evidence. Singh stated, “You are saying, ‘There was no mention of Fatima Sheikh before 2006. You created her in a fictional way.’ Show me any book. I am showing you a book from 1991. It is clearly written in it that Fatima Sheikh was an associate of Savitribai Phule ji. Now keep your mouth shut. You have come to place a big bet.”
Singh’s assertion points to a 1991 publication documenting Fatima Sheikh’s association with Savitribai Phule, directly contradicting Mandal’s claims. The book he cited appears to predate Mandal’s alleged creation of the narrative, raising questions about the accuracy of his confession.
Further, in an alarming revelation, Dilip Mandal said that four years ago, a Wikipedia editor, Starlordnikhil, attempted to correct the article on Fatima Sheikh. His edits were swiftly deleted, and he was subsequently blocked from the platform without any explanation. This incident has sparked concerns about editorial bias and the unchecked control of certain narratives on Wikipedia.
The controversy revolves around claims regarding the association of Fatima Sheikh with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, pioneers of social reform and education in Bharat. Sourced verbatim from Wikipedia’s edit history dated February 16 2021, Starlordnikhil’s edits, which remain in the edit logs but were deleted, stated:
“There are no historical facts or evidence that suggest/refer/include anything about Fatima Sheikh’s existence or her work. There is no historic or present link of Fatima Sheikh with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule at all. There is no Muslim/Islamic involvement of any kind in women’s and Dalits’ education efforts by the Phule couple. The historic events of the Phule couple are well documented and preserved by the government and the Mali (OBC) community of Bharat. No such person or event as Fatima Sheikh is ever referred to or suggested in it.”
The editor highlighted several key points:
Anti-caste activist Suraj Kumar Bauddh has raised serious doubts about the widely accepted narrative surrounding Fatima Sheikh’s identity. Bauddh states that the only reference to Fatima in historical records comes from a letter written by Savitribai Phule, mentioning her name. Still, it does not describe her as a teacher or someone who assisted the Phule couple in establishing schools for girls.
Bauddh claims that the notion of Fatima Sheikh as a colleague of the Phules is a fabrication, pointing out that neither Savitribai Phule nor Babasaheb Ambedkar mentioned her in any of their writings. He argues that the character of Fatima Sheikh was created by BAMCEF (Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation) as a false identity to appease Muslim communities, later promoted under the guise of ‘Bahujan Ekta.’
Bauddh criticises the claim that Fatima Sheikh was given the surname ‘Sheikh’ for political reasons and was then falsely credited with teaching in the schools established by Savitribai Phule. According to him, these claims led to her being erroneously celebrated as the first Muslim teacher, mirroring the achievements of Savitribai Phule. Further adding to the controversy, it was later claimed that Fatima Sheikh was the sister of someone named Usman Sheikh, purportedly to strengthen this narrative.
Bauddh stresses that while it is important to honour genuine historical figures, it is not acceptable to fabricate identities or impose such labels on Dalits as a form of political appeasement. He calls for a more honest recognition of historical truths rather than distortion for appeasement.
Hari Narke was Editor of Both Phule and Ambedkar complete works…
Fatima Sheikh’s name has been used to promote Dalit-Muslim unity, but Mandal argued that this foundation is built on propaganda. He stated: “To appease Muslims, BAMCEF created such a false character which later got promoted in the name of ‘Bahujan Ekta.'”
Hari Narke, a renowned academician who till date is known for his work on Jyotirao Phule and B R Ambedkar in the past had questioned about the identity and existence of Fatima Sheikh. He had asked people who were celebrating Fatima Sheikh’s birth anniversary to provide credible evidence justifying the same.
Though Prof Mandal created the character of Fatima Sheikh can be contested, it is sure that complete works of Mahatma Phule do not have any mention of Fatima Sheikh associated with him and Savitribai Phule.
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