India's First Muslim Woman Teacher's Legacy Questioned: Fatima Sheikh – A Teacher, a Myth, or a Housemaid?

New Delhi- On January 9, the 194th birth anniversary of India’s first Muslim woman teacher and a significant figure in the Bahujan education movement, Fatima Sheikh, a major controversy erupted questioning her very existence.

Senior journalist and government media advisor Prof. Dilip Mandal, known as a Bahujan thinker, tweeted a series of provocative claims asserting that Fatima Sheikh never existed and that he fabricated her identity, as there was no mention of her prior to 2006.

In his post, Prof. Mandal stated, "There is no evidence of Fatima Sheikh being a teacher. Neither in the past nor today. This isn't something from a thousand years ago. Just 150 years ago, if such a remarkable Muslim woman had existed, especially in a community with the lowest literacy rates in India even today, she would have been written about more extensively than Sir Syed Ahmed Khan."

Controversial Claims on Fatima Sheikh

Prof. Mandal declared in his tweet:

" 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. Not a real person. It is my mistake that, during a particular phase, I created this name out of nothing—essentially from thin air. I did that knowingly. You will not find a single entry in a Google search earlier. No article, no book, no mention. Nothing. Interest in her vanished in 2022 when I abandoned the story of Fatima Sheikh. She came in social media narrative and just vanished Do not ask why I did it. It was a matter of time and circumstance. A figure needed to be constructed for a purpose, and so I crafted one. Thousands of people can attest to this—most of them heard this name from me for the first time. 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. The complete writings of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule have been published, and nowhere is the name Fatima Sheikh mentioned as someone who taught alongside them. Even Babasaheb Ambedkar never referred to such a name. No biographer of Mahatma Phule or Savitribai Phule has mentioned Fatima Sheikh. No Muslim scholar referenced this name until 15 years ago. British documents that discuss the educational efforts of the Phule couple make no mention of Fatima Sheikh either. She is nowhere to be found—absolutely nowhere."

This statement sparked outrage among Bahujan and Muslim communities. Activists and historians have condemned it as an attempt to erase the contributions of the Bahujan movement and the Muslim community.

Following this, The Print withdrew an article written by him, titled "Why Indian history has forgotten Fatima Sheikh but remembers Savitribai Phule," published in 2019. The publication cited Mandal’s admission as the reason and issued a statement that it was reviewing the matter.

In support of his claim, Prof. Mandal also stated that noted scholars from Harvard and Oxford have previously argued, Fatima Sheikh, the teacher, did not exist. "Supporting this view is Prof. Hari Narke, the editor of Mahatma Phule Samasta Sahitya (Vol 1 to 4) and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (Vol 17 to 22)", Mandal wrote.

Initially dismissing her as a fictional character without providing any justification, Prof. Mandal faced intense backlash from the Bahujan community. Activists and writers pointed to a letter by Savitribai Phule, which explicitly mentions Fatima experiencing difficulties in her absence.

Dalit writer and professor Hemlata Maheshwar mocked Mandal in a social media post, referencing a letter by Savitribai Phule mentioning Fatima Sheikh: "Savitribai Phule wrote to Jyotirao about Fatima’s struggles in her absence. Perhaps she wrote the letter on Prof Mandal's advice. There’s a limit to fabrications."

In response, Prof. Mandal shifted his stance, arguing that the specific line does not include the title "Sheikh" and merely states that "Fatima won’t grumble," suggesting she might have been a house help. This attempt to diminish Fatima’s contributions has drawn sharp criticism for undermining her historical significance.

Prof Mandal stated that the letter from Savitribai Phule to her husband Jyotiba Phule is the “only” evidence of Fatima’s existence—no mention of Fatima Sheikh, and more importantly no mention of Fatima as a teacher. "Here is the translation of the letter: “I will come to Pune as soon as I get perfectly well. Please do not worry about me. I know my absence causes Fatima so much trouble, but I am sure she will understand and won’t grumble (won’t do kur-kur) .”

"Now it is up to your imagination whether to consider Fatima as the school teacher of the Phule couple or as their house maid. Don’t forget that the Phules were noted building and bridge contractors"- His tweet read.

Prof. Mandal’s claims have drawn sharp criticism from Bahujan activists and writers. Journalist Shyam Meera Singh countered:
"You claim Fatima Sheikh wasn’t mentioned before 2006. I’m showing you a book from 1991 that clearly states she was Savitribai Phule’s associate."

A respondent shared excerpts from a 1986 book, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, showing references to Fatima Sheikh, calling Mandal’s statement baseless.

Banaras Hindu University assistant professor and Dalit feminist author Priyanka Sonkar told The Mooknayak:
"Historical figures are discovered, not fabricated. Fatima Sheikh existed, though she may not have achieved the same recognition as Savitribai Phule. Mandal’s shift in narrative after joining the government shows a concerning departure from earlier stances."

Sonkar also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s inclusion of a chapter on Fatima Sheikh in an Urdu textbook for Class VIII in 2022. She cited a recently purchased book titled India’s First Muslim Woman Teacher – Revolutionary Fatima Sheikh, published by Samyak Prakashan, as evidence of her contributions.

Interfaith scholar Dr. Obed Manwatker dismissed the controversy, stating:
"Those who once praised Fatima Sheikh are now calling her fictional. None of those questioning her existence have expertise in Maharashtra’s history or sociology. Their claims are merely to garner attention on social media."

Managing Trustee of Aagaz Foundation Trust and Dalit author Suman Devathiya, criticized the move as a deliberate attempt to undermine the contributions of a Muslim woman who likely faced immense challenges in educating a society steeped in patriarchal hierarchies and caste biases. "This is a reprehensible act and deserves strong condemnation," she stated.

National spokesperson of Bharat Adivasi Party, Dr. Jitendra Meena, also an assistant professor at Delhi University’s History Department argued:
"Historical documentation in India began only during colonial times. Oral traditions were predominant before this. Claiming that Fatima Sheikh is fictional disregards the historical process of uncovering lesser-known figures. Mandal’s statements seem politically motivated to disrupt the alliance between OBCs and Muslims." Meena further added: "Such character assassination won’t diminish Fatima Sheikh’s contributions. This narrative only fuels hatred against Muslims while sowing discord between OBCs and Muslims."

Nagsen Sonare, President of the Baba Saheb National Association of Engineers (BANAE), praised Fatima Sheikh as India’s first Muslim woman teacher and condemned the controversy as a diversion from core issues.

Tamil Nadu Dalit author Shalin Maria Lawrence expressed outrage over Mandal’s remarks, further fueling the debate. She stated there are many writings in Marathi that shows Fatima Sheikh's efforts for empowering women through education. "It's very dangerous that Prof Mandal is indulging in such behaviour, It affects DBA movement passively", she noted.

The controversy continues to spark heated discussions on historical authenticity, community alliances, and political narratives.

Kiran Kumar Gowd, the national president of All India OBC Students Association, asserts Fatima Sheikh had her own identity and she was not under the shadow of Savitri Bai Phule. " The problems is with historians for not writing about them untill early 21st century".

Ashok Bharti, Chairman of National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR), also emphasized that Fatima had been a real personality and not merely a myth.