Aruna Asaf Ali: The Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence

Aruna Asaf Ali, a significant figure in India's struggle for independence, gained popularity during the Quit India Movement. She is often hailed as the ‘Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence’ due to her significant contributions to the freedom movement. This article provides a detailed account of Aruna Asaf Ali's life and her role in India's fight for freedom, which is a significant topic for the IAS Exam .

Early Years and Education

Born on 16 July 1909, in Kalka Punjab (present-day Haryana), Aruna was the daughter of Upendranath Ganguly and Ambalika Devi. Her grandfather, Trailokyanath Sanyal, was a prominent leader of the Brahmo Samaj.

Aruna completed her schooling from the prestigious All Saints College in Nainital. She met Asaf Ali, her future husband, while working as a teacher at the Gokhale Memorial School in Calcutta. Asaf Ali was a member of the Indian National Congress, which was founded on December 28, 1885 . Despite initial opposition from their families, they got married, and Aruna became an active participant in India's struggle for independence .

Participation in the Freedom Struggle

Aruna Asaf Ali was actively involved in numerous non-violent protests during the Salt Satyagraha . As a result of her participation, she was arrested by the British authorities.

Despite the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931, which promised the release of all political prisoners, Aruna Asaf Ali was not released. It was only after strong protests by fellow women freedom fighters and Mahatma Gandhi that she was eventually released.

After her release, Aruna remained relatively inactive politically until 1942, when she became a crucial part of the underground movement.

Role in the Quit India Movement

The Indian National Congress passed the Quit India resolution on August 8, 1942. In response, the British government arrested the major leaders of the movement to prevent it from gaining momentum. However, despite the absence of the main leaders, Aruna Asaf Ali led the remaining members of the party and hoisted the Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, signifying the start of the Quit India Movement .

Even when the police fired at the crowd, Aruna stood her ground. Despite the lack of senior leadership, protests erupted across the country. An arrest warrant was issued against Aruna, but she managed to evade arrest. During her time in hiding, she edited the Inquilab, a magazine of the Congress party. The British announced a reward of Rs.5000 for her capture. However, she only came out of hiding in 1946 when the arrest warrant against her was withdrawn.

Post-Independence Life and Legacy

After independence, Aruna Asaf Ali, who was a member of the Congress Socialist Party, joined the Communist Party of India (CPI). However, she faced a personal setback when her husband, Asaf Ali, passed away in 1953.

Aruna played a pivotal role in establishing the National Federation of Indian Women in 1954, the women's wing of the CPI. However, she left the CPI following Nikita Khrushchev’s rise to power after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1956. In 1958, Aruna Asaf Ali made history by becoming the first mayor of Delhi.

She breathed her last in New Delhi on July 29, 1996, at the age of 87.

In recognition of her contributions to India's freedom struggle, the Indian government awarded her the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1997. The All India Minorities Front annually confers the Dr Aruna Asaf Ali Sadbhawan Award in her honour.

To know more about the Bharat Ratna awardees , you can check out the linked article.

For detailed information regarding the UPSC Syllabus , you can visit the linked article. More exam-related preparation materials can be found through the links given below.

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