ARUNA ASAF ALI: A VALIANT FREEDOM-FIGHTER
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Aarya Raut, SY BAJMC
Any reference to India's struggle for Independence cannot be complete without mentioning its leaders and well-known freedom fighters. Unfortunately, however, many freedom fighters are lost to public memory. Aruna Asaf Ali, popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady of the Independence movement, is one of those relatively-unknown independence activists who played a crucial role in the struggle of India. She was born on July 16, 1909.
An educator, political activist and publisher, Aruna became a member of the Indian National Congress through Asaf Ali; her husband, who was already a member of the Indian National Congress, introduced her to the world of politics and participated in public processions during the Salt Satyagraha. She was arrested and not released in 1931 under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which demanded the release of all political prisoners. Other women prisoners refused to leave the premises until she was also released. In 1932, she was arrested again and held in Tihar Jail, where she launched a hunger strike to protest the treatment of other political prisoners. After 1942, her property was seized and sold. Since the British police were looking for her, she hid to escape being arrested. While underground, she continued her struggle through underground radio, pamphlets, and magazines such as 'Inquilab' with Ram Manohar Lohia to continue the battle.
Any reference to India's struggle for Independence cannot be complete without mentioning its leaders and well-known freedom fighters. Unfortunately, however, many freedom fighters are lost to public memory. Aruna Asaf Ali, popularly known as the 'Grand Old Lady of the Independence movement, is one of those relatively-unknown independence activists who played a crucial role in the struggle of India. She was born on July 16, 1909.
An educator, political activist and publisher, Aruna became a member of the Indian National Congress through Asaf Ali; her husband, who was already a member of the Indian National Congress, introduced her to the world of politics and participated in public processions during the Salt Satyagraha. She was arrested and not released in 1931 under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which demanded the release of all political prisoners. Other women prisoners refused to leave the premises until she was also released. In 1932, she was arrested again and held in Tihar Jail, where she launched a hunger strike to protest the treatment of other political prisoners. After 1942, her property was seized and sold. Since the British police were looking for her, she hid to escape being arrested. While underground, she continued her struggle through underground radio, pamphlets, and magazines such as 'Inquilab' with Ram Manohar Lohia to continue the battle.
Known for her independent streak, she disobeyed Gandhi's request to surrender herself in 1946. "I have been filled with admiration for your courage and heroism. But, unfortunately, you are reduced to a skeleton. Come out and surrender yourself and win the prize offered for your arrest. Reserve the prize money for the Harijan (untouchables') cause," he had written. The note reportedly remained with her all her life, but she resurfaced only when the reward on her head was withdrawn. Nevertheless, she stuck to her ideals and faced severe disapproval from Gandhi for her support of the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny.
A valiant freedom fighter, Aruna Asaf Ali participated in the Salt Satyagraha Movement, Quit India Movement, and other protests. However, she gained prominence when she hoisted the Indian Flag at Gowalia Tank Maiden in Bombay in 1942. As a result, the Quit India resolution was passed by the Indian National Congress on August 8, 1942. In response, the government arrested significant movement leaders for collapsing the movement. she gave the much-needed push to the Quit India Movement by hoisting the Indian Flag at the Gowalia Tank ground and was termed the 'Heroine of 1942'.
Aruna Asaf Ali was crucial in forming the National Federation of Indian Women in 1954. Post-independence, she served as the first elected Mayor of Delhi in 1958. Extremely educated, Aruna Asaf Ali worked towards the upliftment of women. She believed that education and better healthcare would do more for women than reservation. She created awareness around women's need to be educated through her weekly journals 'Weekly' and newspaper 'Patriot.' She ran the Left-leaning Patriot newspaper and the weekly magazine Link in New Delhi. Aruna was honored by the nationalists and the Left. she was given the Order of Lenin and the Lenin Peace Prize in 1965. For her role in the Indian independence struggle, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997. Aruna Asaf Ali passed away in New Delhi on 29 1996, July at 87.
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