The turmoil in Iran over the hijab is creating ripples worldwide. The matter is primarily about the patriarchal tendency to control what a woman should wear and what she should not. In India, too, the issue has been cropping up time and again. Purdah and ghoonghat are the names given to the dress co
Reading the thoughts of the first generation of Independent India’s women political leaders
The Constituent Assembly of India had 15 women members, each of whom brought unique perspectives to the debates over the Constitution. 11 of the 15 women members of India s Constituent Assembly | Meera Velayudhan/CWDS
India has had its significant share of influential women politicians over the years. It’s a tradition that goes back to the freedom struggle, which had significant participation by women.
When the Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 to draw up a Constitution for the soon-to-be independent nation, it had 15 women members. They are mainly known as freedom fighters but they were also opinionated political leaders, who were unafraid to speak their minds and passionately advocated their beliefs.