Women’s Contribution to the Making of the Indian Constitution

Introduction:

The making of the Indian Constitution was not merely a legal exercise but a transformative national project aimed at creating a society based on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. While the contributions of many male leaders of the Constituent Assembly are widely recognised, the role of women members remains comparatively underrepresented in popular narratives.

The book “The Life and Contributions of the Women Members of the Constituent Assembly”, released by the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, attempts to bridge this historical gap by documenting the lives, speeches and interventions of 15 remarkable women who contributed to shaping India’s constitutional democracy.

Despite their limited numerical presence in the Assembly, these women emerged as powerful voices representing gender equality, social justice, minority rights, education, public health and inclusive governance. Their participation reflected the idea that the Constitution was not only a document of political independence but also a charter for social transformation and human dignity.

How did Women’s Political Consciousness Evolve before the Constitution?

The participation of women in India’s constitutional journey was the result of decades of social reform, political awakening and nationalist mobilisation.

Early foundations of women’s political participation

Social reform movements in the 19th and early 20th centuries created awareness regarding:
- Women’s education
- Widow remarriage
- Social equality
- Removal of discriminatory practices

Organisations such as the Women’s Indian Association (1917), founded by leaders including Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins and others, provided a platform for women to demand:
- Political representation
- Voting rights
- Educational opportunities

Role of women in the freedom struggle

Women’s participation expanded significantly during the national movement:

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Women entered public protests and nationalist activities.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930): Women participated in salt satyagraha, boycott movements and mass mobilisation.

Quit India Movement (1942): Women played crucial roles in underground resistance and political mobilisation.

This political experience prepared women leaders to contribute meaningfully to the constitutional process.

How Did They Contribute to Constitution-making?

Although women represented a small section of the Constituent Assembly, their contributions were disproportionate to their numbers. They brought perspectives rooted in:

Experience of colonial oppression

Understanding of social inequalities

Commitment to gender justice

Vision of inclusive citizenship

They ensured that the Constitution addressed not only political freedom but also the deeper challenges of social hierarchy, discrimination and unequal opportunities.

Who were the Key Women Members of the Constituent Assembly and What Was their Contribution?

Women Member

Contribution to Constitution Making and Nation-Building

Ammu Swaminathan (1894–1978)

A prominent advocate of women’s equality and equal citizenship. She opposed discriminatory social practices and supported constitutional guarantees for equality.

Her public life reflected the emerging idea of women as equal participants in democratic India, rather than beneficiaries of separate political privileges.

She later served in Parliament and remained associated with women’s organisations and public affairs.

Annie Mascarene (1902–1963)

A freedom fighter and political leader from Travancore, she participated in the struggle for responsible government and later joined the Constituent Assembly.

Her interventions reflected concerns relating to federalism, provincial administration and democratic governance.

She subsequently became one of the early women parliamentarians of independent India.

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul (1908–2001)

The only Muslim woman member of the Constituent Assembly.

She played an important role in debates on minority rights, secularism and democratic citizenship.

She opposed separate electorates, favouring a common political framework for citizens.

She also advocated women’s participation in public life and later served in Parliament and the Rajya Sabha.

Dakshayani Velayudhan (1912–1978)

The first Dalit woman to graduate in India and the only Dalit woman in the Constituent Assembly.

Coming from a community historically subjected to untouchability, she brought the concerns of social exclusion, caste discrimination and human dignity into constitutional discourse.

She opposed untouchability and emphasised that political independence had to be accompanied by social emancipation and substantive equality.

Durgabai Deshmukh (1909–1981)

A freedom fighter, lawyer and social reformer who made significant contributions to debates on social welfare, women’s rights, education and legal reform.

She served on important constitutional committees and supported measures for a welfare-oriented state.

After independence, she played a major role in institution-building, including through the Central Social Welfare Board and Andhra Mahila Sabha.

Hansa Jivraj Mehta (1897–1995)

One of the strongest voices for gender equality and equal citizenship.

She served on the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, the Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee and the Provincial Constitution Committee.

She argued against separate reservations and electorates for women, favouring equality of status and opportunity.

She also advocated a Uniform Civil Code as a means of developing common citizenship.

Her later international contribution was equally significant: at the UN, she helped shape gender-equal language in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kamla Chaudhary (1908–1970)

A freedom fighter, feminist, writer and Congress leader from the United Provinces. She participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and faced arrest during the freedom struggle.

In the Constituent Assembly, she contributed to the broader process of constitutional development.

Beyond politics, she promoted girls’ education, rural development and Khadi and village industries, linking women’s empowerment with economic participation.

Her literary works also explored women’s experiences and social transformation.

Leela Roy (1900–1970)

A pioneering feminist, revolutionary nationalist and close associate of Subhas Chandra Bose.

She founded Deepali Sangha in 1923 to educate and train women in political awareness, leadership and physical fitness, and established institutions for women’s education.

She was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal but resigned in protest against Partition.

She subsequently worked for refugees and victims of communal violence, including through relief work in Noakhali.

Malati Choudhury (1904–1998)

Influenced by Rabindranath Tagore and Gandhian thought, she participated in the freedom struggle and the Salt Satyagraha and worked among peasants, tribals and disadvantaged communities.

Elected to the Constituent Assembly from Orissa, she resigned the same year, choosing to continue grassroots work rather than remain in the Assembly.

Her later work through Utkal Navjeevan Mandal focused on rural development, tribal welfare and education.

Purnima Banerjee (1898–1973)

A Congress Socialist and freedom fighter who participated in Individual Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement and worked at the grassroots through the Allahabad City Congress Committee.

In the Constituent Assembly, she intervened on the Preamble, preventive detention, parliamentary qualifications and religious instruction in educational institutions.

She argued that sovereignty should derive from the people of India and sought safeguards against arbitrary preventive detention.

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (1889–1964)

A major voice for women’s rights, education, public health and social welfare.

She served on several important committees, including the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, Tribal and Excluded Areas, the Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee and the Provincial Constitution Committee.

She opposed discriminatory practices and supported a Uniform Civil Code. As India’s first Health Minister, she later helped establish AIIMS and strengthened public-health institutions.

Renuka Ray (1903–1997)

A prominent advocate of women’s legal and property rights and social reform. She worked against women’s trafficking and for better conditions for female workers.

In the Constituent Assembly, she raised issues concerning women’s equality, minority rights, religious instruction and personal law.

She opposed separate political privileges for women, arguing instead for equal citizenship and opportunities.

She also advocated a Uniform Personal Law Code and later represented India internationally at the UN.

Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949)

A leading nationalist, suffragist and women’s rights advocate, popularly known as the “Nightingale of India”, and the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress.

Her contribution to nation-building extended beyond constitutional provisions to the symbolic and democratic foundations of the Republic.

In the Constituent Assembly, she participated in discussions concerning the national flag, emphasising its importance as a symbol of India’s identity and international representation.

Sucheta Kripalani (1908–1974)

A prominent participant in the Quit India Movement and later a member of the Constituent Assembly.

She served on the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas and was associated with the Flag Presentation Committee.

Her participation represented women’s role in the institutional transition from the freedom struggle to constitutional democracy.

She later became India’s first woman Chief Minister, serving as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister from 1963 to 1967.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900–1990)

A freedom fighter, legislator and diplomat who participated in the independence movement and was imprisoned multiple times.

Elected to the Constituent Assembly from the United Provinces, she supported the Objectives Resolution and its commitment to social, economic and cultural justice.

Her later diplomatic career strengthened India’s engagement with the international community; she became the first woman President of the UN General Assembly in 1953.

How did Women Members Shape the Core Constitutional Values?

Women members played an important role in ensuring that equality became a foundational constitutional principle.

Their contribution reflected:

Formal Equality: Equal treatment of all citizens before law.

Substantive Equality: Recognition that historically disadvantaged groups require protective measures.

Gender Justice: Ensuring women were recognised as equal participants in nation-building.

Their vision is reflected in constitutional provisions such as:

Article 14 – Equality before law and equal protection of laws.

Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination.

Article 15 (3) – Special provisions for women and children.

Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in public employment.

How did Women Members Expand the Meaning of Freedom?

For these women leaders, independence was not limited to the transfer of political power. They viewed freedom as a process of social transformation.

Their interventions focused on: Ending social discrimination

Dakshayani Velayudhan highlighted the importance of eliminating caste-based exclusion.

Their efforts strengthened the constitutional commitment towards dignity and equality.

Building a welfare-oriented state

Women members advocated:

Education for all

Public health systems

Social welfare institutions

Protection of vulnerable communities

These ideas later became central to the Directive Principles of State Policy.

How did they Redefine the Position of Women in Independent India?

Women members challenged the traditional perception of women as passive beneficiaries and established them as active citizens.

They advocated:

Equal citizenship rights

Political participation

Access to education

Economic opportunities

Legal protection

Their contribution helped create a constitutional framework where women were recognised as:

“Partners in democracy rather than subjects of governance.”

Conclusion:

The women members of the Constituent Assembly were the unsung architects of India’s constitutional democracy. Through their advocacy for equality, justice and human dignity, they ensured that the Constitution became an instrument of social transformation rather than merely a framework of government.

Their contribution represents the constitutional ideals of inclusive nationalism, gender justice and democratic participation. Remembering their role enriches our understanding of the Constitution as a collective achievement shaped by diverse voices and experiences.

FAQs

1. How many women members were part of the Constituent Assembly?
Fifteen women members were part of the Constituent Assembly and contributed to India’s constitutional development.

2. Who was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress?
Sarojini Naidu was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress and was popularly known as the “Nightingale of India.”

3. Who was the only Dalit woman member of the Constituent Assembly?
Dakshayani Velayudhan was the only Dalit woman member of the Constituent Assembly. She highlighted issues of caste discrimination, untouchability and social equality.

4. Who was the only Muslim woman member of the Constituent Assembly?
Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul was the only Muslim woman member of the Constituent Assembly. She supported democratic citizenship and opposed separate electorates.

5. What was Hansa Jivraj Mehta’s contribution to constitution-making?
Hansa Jivraj Mehta was a strong advocate of gender equality and equal citizenship. She opposed separate political privileges for women and supported a Uniform Civil Code.

6. What was Rajkumari Amrit Kaur’s contribution to nation-building?
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur contributed to debates on fundamental rights, women’s rights and social welfare and later became India’s first Health Minister, playing an important role in the establishment of AIIMS.

7. What was Durgabai Deshmukh’s contribution beyond the Constituent Assembly?
Durgabai Deshmukh worked extensively for women’s education, social welfare and legal reform and contributed to institution-building through organisations such as the Central Social Welfare Board and Andhra Mahila Sabha.

8. Which women members resigned from the Constituent Assembly?
Leela Roy and Malati Choudhury resigned from the Constituent Assembly in 1947, choosing different forms of political and grassroots engagement.

9. How did women members contribute to gender equality in the Constitution?
They advocated equal citizenship, equality of status and opportunity, political participation, education and legal protection, contributing to the broader constitutional framework of gender justice.

10. Why is the contribution of women members of the Constituent Assembly significant?
Their participation demonstrated that constitution-making was also a process of social transformation, bringing issues of gender equality, social justice, minority rights, education, public health and inclusive citizenship into the constitutional discourse.