Republic Day 2024: Remembering Women Behind India's Constitution

Republic Day 2024 commemorates 75 years since the Constitution of India came into force. The Constituent Assembly, headed by Dr B R Ambedkar, is widely remembered for their exemplary contribution to India's independence with an inclusive approach. However, not many of us remember the female brilliant minds who played a crucial role in moulding the foundation of the world's largest democracy.

As the nation comes together to champion the theme of 'India- Mother of Democracy' this Republic Day, let's put the spotlight on these women revolutionaries who have left an indelible mark on India's democracy with their unforgettable achievements.

Remembering Women Behind The Constitution

Ammu Swaminathan

Ammu Swaminathan was active in politics and was one firebrand leader when the Quit India movement started. She believed in gender equality and spoke against caste discrimination. She got married at the age of 13 but never gave in to societal norms, she trained herself in English and other foreign languages and remained active in the independence movement.

She represented the Madras constituency in the Constituent Assembly, in her speech she emphasized the fundamental rights of the people of India. She said, "Rights are guaranteed in such matters as freedom of speech, association, and worship. The last is a very vital question to the people of this country." Today given the country's temperament her words make so much sense. Ammu was also the Vice President of the Federation of Film Societies, headed the Bharat Scouts and Guides (1960-65) and the Censor Board.

Durgabai Deshmukh

Durgabai Deshmukh at the age of 12, participated in the Non-Co-operation Movement and Salt Satyagraha movement in Madras, in 1930. She founded Andhra Mahila Sabha which became a great institution of education and social welfare in the city of Madras. She also headed the Central Social Welfare Board, the National Council for Women’s Education, and the National Committee On Girls’ and Women’s Education. Deshmukh received the Nehru Literary Award in 1971 for her outstanding contribution to the promotion of literacy in India. 

Sucheta Kriplani

Sucheta Kriplani established the women’s wing of the Congress party in 1940. She served as MP from New Delhi, later the Minister of Labour, Community Development and Industry in Uttar Pradesh’s state government. She went on to become chief minister of UP, the successor of Chandra Bhanu Gupta and became India’s first woman Chief Minister.

Hansa Jivraj Mehta

Hansa Jivraj Mehta studied journalism and sociology in England and became a social activist, educator, and writer. The popular Gulliver’s Travels was authored by her. She proposed a Charter of Women's Rights at the All India Women’s Conference convention. She was also the vice-chancellor of SNDT Women’s University and Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, among others.

Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu is popularly known as the Nightingale of India. She was also the first Indian woman to be president of the Indian National Congress. Also, the first Indian state governor. She travelled extensively and studied in London. She was several times imprisoned for her anti-British activity. Sarojini Naidu was also known for her literary prowess. Naidu was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit is always remembered as the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru. But she was more than that, she was politically active in the freedom movement, several times imprisoned by the British. She was on the Allahabad Municipal Board, later elected to the Assembly of the United Provinces, and became minister of local self-government and public health.

This made her the first Indian woman ever to become a cabinet minister and the first woman and the first Asian to be elected president of the U.N. General Assembly.

Kamla Chaudhry

Kamla Chaudhry came from a privileged background but it was still a struggle to get educated. She participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. Chaudhry was also a fiction writer and mostly explored women’s inner worlds or the emergence of India as a modern nation.

Dakshayani Velayudhan 

Dakshayani Velayudhan was born to a lower-caste Pulaya family but was encouraged to pursue higher education. She became a teacher in Thrissur. The State Government nominated Velayudhan to the Cochin Legislative Council. She was the first and only Dalit woman in the Constituent Assembly in 1946. 

She wrote extensively on caste issues and called out on upper caste Congress leaders. Recently, the Kerala Government initiated the Dakshayani Velayudhan award to be bestowed on women who work towards the empowerment of other women in the state.

Begum Aizaz Rasul

Rasul was the only Muslim woman member of the Constituent Assembly. She joined the Muslim League and entered electoral politics and later joined Congress. She was also elected to the U.P. Legislative Assembly. She also headed the Minister for Social Welfare and Minorities.

Leela Roy

Leela Roy was born to a deputy magistrate and graduated from Bethune College. She founded the Dipali Sangha, a centre of political discussion. She was instrumental in establishing the Dacca Mahila Satyagraha Sangha. Roy was the editor of Jayashree. Roy was affiliated with Subash Chandra Bose, before leaving India, Bose gave complete charge of party activities to Leela Roy and her spouse. 

Malati Choudhury

Malati Choudhury came from East Bengal (now Bangladesh). She participated in salt satyagraha and joined the Indian National Congress. During the Emergency period, she protested against Indira Gandhi's declaration of Emergency and was eventually imprisoned.

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur

Amrit Kaur was India’s first Health Minister for a decade. She came from the royal family of Kapurthala. She completed her education in England and after returning to India, became Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary for 16 years. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is her brainchild and she stood for its autonomy. Kaur established the Tuberculosis Association of India, the Central Leprosy and Research Institute, and many other health institutes in India. 

Renuka Ray 

Renuka Ray was a member of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC). She lived in London and completed her education at the London School of Economics. Ray stood for a uniform personal law code. As legal secretary of the AIWC, she submitted a document titled ‘Legal Disabilities of Women in India, in which she expressed disappointment over the way women were positioned before the law in India. She also served on the West Bengal Legislative Assembly as Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation and as Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation. 

Annie Mascarene

Annie Mascarene was among the first women to join the Travancore State Congress. She too was imprisoned at various times. She served briefly as Minister in Charge of Health and Power post-independence. 

Purnima Banerjee

Purnima Banerjee fought for freedom in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. She was active in the Satyagraha and Quit India Movement and got arrested for her role. Banerjee created a network of women. organizing trade unions, farmers' meetings, and rural engagement.

Dr Savita Ambedkar

Behind the scenes of the Constituent Assembly, Dr B R  Ambedkar had a strong and supportive partner in his wife, Dr Savita Ambedkar. Though not a formal member of the assembly, her counsel and support were invaluable. Dr Savita Ambedkar was a champion for social justice, and her contributions to discussions around the rights of marginalized communities were influential in shaping the Constitution's inclusive spirit.