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The Indian Constitution, one of the most comprehensive and progressive constitutions in the world, was drafted by the Constituent Assembly of India. Among its 299 members, 15 were women who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s foundational document. These women, hailing from diverse backgrounds—some from poverty, others from royal families—left an indelible mark on India’s history.
1. Dakshayani Velayudhan (1912–1978)
Dakshayani Velayudhan was the only Dalit woman in the Constituent Assembly. Born into the Pulaya community in Kerala, she faced severe caste discrimination but rose to become the first Dalit woman to graduate with a degree in science. A staunch advocate for the abolition of untouchability and caste-based discrimination, she worked closely with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Dakshayani was a vocal critic of the term “Harijan” and fought for the rights of marginalized communities.
2. Sucheta Kriplani (1908–1974)
Sucheta Kriplani was a freedom fighter and the first woman Chief Minister of India, serving Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967. She played a significant role in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned by the British. In the Constituent Assembly, she advocated for a uniform civil code and women’s rights. She also worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi during the Partition riots and helped rehabilitate refugees.
3. Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949)
Known as the “Nightingale of India,” Sarojini Naidu was a poet, freedom fighter, and the first woman president of the Indian National Congress. She was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and participated in various movements, including the Salt Satyagraha. In the Constituent Assembly, she represented Bihar and later became the first woman governor of Uttar Pradesh.
4. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900–1990)
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, was a diplomat and politician. She was the first woman to hold a cabinet position in pre-independence India and later became the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly in 1953. In the Constituent Assembly, she represented the United Provinces and advocated for women’s rights and social justice.
5. Begum Aizaz Rasul (1908–2001)
Begum Aizaz Rasul was the only Muslim woman in the Constituent Assembly. A member of the Muslim League, she opposed separate electorates for Muslims and worked towards a secular India. She was a strong advocate for women’s education and later joined the Congress party. She also served as the president of the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation.
6. Hansa Mehta (1897–1995)
Hansa Mehta was a feminist and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She ensured that the phrase “all men are born free and equal” was changed to “all human beings are born free and equal.” In the Constituent Assembly, she advocated for gender equality and women’s rights.
7. Kamala Chaudhry (1908–1970)
Kamala Chaudhry was a writer and freedom fighter who actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly and worked on issues related to women’s rights, child marriage, and property rights for women.
8. Purnima Banerji (1911–1951)
Purnima Banerji was a socialist and freedom fighter who represented Uttar Pradesh in the Constituent Assembly. She focused on the rights of workers and farmers and advocated for secularism and social justice. She was also the first to sing the national anthem in the Constituent Assembly.
9. Malati Choudhury (1904–1998)
Malati Choudhury was a freedom fighter and social activist influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. She worked for the welfare of tribals, Dalits, and children. In the Constituent Assembly, she emphasized the need for provisions to protect the rights of marginalized communities.
10. Leela Roy (1900–1970)
Leela Roy was a close associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and a member of the Forward Bloc. She was a strong advocate for women’s education and founded the Deepali Sangha, an organization that trained women in self-defense. She resigned from the Constituent Assembly in protest against Partition.
11. Durgabai Deshmukh (1909–1981)
Durgabai Deshmukh was a freedom fighter and social reformer who fought against child marriage and the devadasi system. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly and later served as the first chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board.
12. Renuka Ray (1904–1997)
Renuka Ray was a social worker and politician who advocated for women’s rights and property rights. She served as a member of the Constituent Assembly and later as a Lok Sabha MP.
13. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (1889–1964)
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was a freedom fighter and India’s first Health Minister. She played a key role in establishing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and worked extensively on public health issues.
14. Annie Mascarene (1902–1963)
Annie Mascarene was a freedom fighter and the first woman from Kerala to be elected to the Constituent Assembly. She later became the first woman minister in the Kerala government.
15. Ammu Swaminathan (1894–1978)
Ammu Swaminathan was a freedom fighter and social reformer who advocated for universal suffrage and the abolition of untouchability. She was a member of the Constituent Assembly and worked for women’s rights and social justice.
These 15 women, despite their diverse backgrounds, shared a common vision of a free, equal, and just India. Their contributions to the Constituent Assembly and the nation continue to inspire generations.
Image credits: constitutionofindia.net
