The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers' Society) was a prominent social reform organization established to liberate the marginalized sections of society (Shudras and Ati Shudras) from social and religious exploitation.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotirao Phule (Jyotiba Phule) in 1873 in Pune, Maharashtra. Shri Narayana Guru was a social reformer from Kerala who founded the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) to uplift the Ezhava community.
Statement 2 is Correct: The central tenet of the Samaj was the propagation of caste equality. It aimed to secure human rights and social justice for the lower castes and organized them to challenge the caste system and Brahmanical supremacy.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Samaj did not focus exclusively on the education of upper-caste widows. While Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule worked extensively for widow remarriage and opened a home for widows (including Brahmins) to prevent infanticide, the primary focus of the Satyashodhak Samaj was the education and upliftment of the lower castes and women in general. It was a mass movement involving communities like malis, telis, kunbis, and saris.
Key Takeaway: The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by Jyotiba Phule in 1873 in Maharashtra to advocate for truth, rational thinking, and the rights of the downtrodden against the rigid caste hierarchy.