Here is a detailed overview of the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly of India with focused pointers about their backgrounds, contributions, and achievements:
1. Sarojini Naidu
- Who was she? Renowned poet, freedom fighter, and the first woman Governor of an Indian state.
- Education: Studied at King’s College, London, and Girton College, Cambridge.
- Contribution: Advocated for women’s rights, fought against the partition of Bengal, and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- Known for: The ‘Nightingale of India’ and being the first female President of the Indian National Congress in 1925.
2. Durgabai Deshmukh
- Who was she? Lawyer, social reformer, and founder of Andhra Mahila Sabha.
- Education: Studied Law and obtained a Master’s degree in Political Science.
- Contribution: Championed women’s education, legal reforms for women’s inheritance rights, and advocated for the Equal Remuneration Act.
- Known for: Her role in the National Planning Commission and women’s welfare programs.
3. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
- Who was she? Freedom fighter, reformer, and India’s first Health Minister.
- Education: Studied at Sherborne School for Girls in England.
- Contribution: Established AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) and advocated for public health reforms.
- Known for: Her work in improving women’s health and combating malnutrition.
4. Hansa Mehta
- Who was she? Educator, social reformer, and diplomat.
- Education: Studied at Baroda College and pursued higher education in England.
- Contribution: Advocated for gender equality and influenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to use “human beings” instead of “men.”
- Known for: Drafting reforms to ensure equal rights for women in the Indian Constitution.
5. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
- Who was she? Diplomat, politician, and freedom fighter; sister of Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Education: Privately tutored and educated in India and abroad.
- Contribution: Represented India internationally and focused on women’s equality and human rights.
- Known for: Being the first woman President of the United Nations General Assembly (1953).
6. Renuka Ray
- Who was she? Social reformer and legal expert on women’s rights.
- Education: Studied at the London School of Economics (LSE).
- Contribution: Advocated for property rights for women and reforms in marriage laws.
- Known for: Promoting equal inheritance rights and social justice.
7. Leela Roy
- Who was she? Educationist, freedom fighter, and women’s rights activist.
- Education: Graduated from Bethune College, Calcutta University.
- Contribution: Focused on women’s education and upliftment, and actively participated in the Quit India Movement.
- Known for: Establishing schools and colleges for girls.
8. Sucheta Kripalani
- Who was she? Freedom fighter, politician, and India’s first woman Chief Minister (Uttar Pradesh).
- Education: Graduated from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.
- Contribution: Played a significant role during the Quit India Movement and contributed to labor welfare.
- Known for: Leading India’s first hunger strike in Parliament for workers’ rights.
9. Purnima Banerjee
- Who was she? Freedom fighter and political activist.
- Education: Well-educated, details of formal education not widely documented.
- Contribution: Focused on fundamental rights and civil liberties in the Constitution.
- Known for: Strong advocacy for social justice and women’s empowerment.
10. Ammu Swaminathan
- Who was she? Social worker, politician, and freedom activist.
- Education: Limited formal education but deeply influenced by social reform movements.
- Contribution: Supported women’s equality, social reforms, and the rights of marginalized groups.
- Known for: Advocacy for equal representation of women in politics and governance.
11. Annie Mascarene
- Who was she? Lawyer, politician, and freedom fighter from Kerala.
- Education: Studied Law and obtained a degree in History.
- Contribution: Focused on political representation, civil rights, and economic reforms.
- Known for: Being one of the first women MPs in independent India.
12. Malati Choudhury
- Who was she? Gandhian social reformer and activist.
- Education: Studied at Santiniketan under Rabindranath Tagore.
- Contribution: Worked for tribal welfare, rural development, and women’s education.
- Known for: Fighting for grassroots empowerment and tribal rights.
13. Dakshayani Velayudhan
- Who was she? Dalit leader and social reformer.
- Education: First Dalit woman graduate from Madras University.
- Contribution: Focused on abolishing untouchability, promoting equality, and Dalit rights.
- Known for: Being the only Dalit woman in the Constituent Assembly.
14. Begum Aizaz Rasul
- Who was she? Politician and the only Muslim woman in the Constituent Assembly.
- Education: Studied in Lucknow, India.
- Contribution: Advocated for secularism, equal rights, and women’s empowerment.
- Known for: Opposing separate electorates for minorities and promoting national unity.
15. Kamla Chaudhry
- Who was she? Writer, social activist, and political leader.
- Education: Studied in Lucknow, details of higher education not well-documented.
- Contribution: Supported women’s rights, labor reforms, and education programs.
- Known for: Her writings and contributions to women’s equality in the Constitution.
Summary:
These 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly were pioneers in women’s rights, social reforms, education, and politics. They laid the foundation for gender equality, women’s welfare laws, and secularism in India, ensuring their legacies remain inspirational.
Indian Political Debate 