Nature, Characteristics and Assessments of Women’s Movements in 20th Century India

Introduction: The 20th century in India witnessed the dynamic and evolving participation of women in various movements, challenging patriarchal norms and contributing significantly to the anti-colonial struggle. This discussion will explore the nature, characteristics, and assessment of women’s movements during this period, specifically in relation to the Anti-Partition Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement. Furthermore, it will briefly examine the role of women in armed revolutionary struggles, highlighting the contributions of organizations like the Dipali Sangha and revolutionaries such as Pritilata Waddedar and Kalpana Dutta.

Nature and Characteristics of Women’s Movements in 20th Century India

Women’s movements in 20th century India were multifaceted, driven by a desire for social, economic, and political equality, as well as a commitment to national liberation. Key characteristics include:

Diverse Issues: These movements addressed a wide range of issues, including social reforms like the abolition of sati and child marriage, access to education, property rights, political representation, and resistance against colonial rule.
Varied Participation: Women from diverse backgrounds – urban and rural, educated and uneducated, from different castes and religions – participated actively, albeit with varying degrees of visibility and agency.
Link to Nationalism: Women’s movements were often intertwined with the nationalist struggle, with women seeing their liberation as integral to the nation’s freedom.
Organizational Growth: Numerous women’s organizations emerged at local, regional, and national levels, advocating for women’s rights and mobilizing them for collective action. Notable examples include the Women’s India Association (WIA) and the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC).
Leadership and Grassroots Mobilization: While some movements were led by prominent women leaders, grassroots mobilization and the participation of ordinary women were crucial to their success.
Evolving Demands: The focus of women’s movements evolved over time, shifting from social reforms in the early 20th century to greater emphasis on political and economic rights in later decades.

Women’s Movements and the Anti-Colonial Struggle

Women played a significant role in the major anti-colonial movements of the 20th century:

1. Anti-Partition Movement in Bengal (1905-1911)

Early Political Participation: Women in Bengal actively participated in protests, processions, and the boycott of foreign goods during the Anti-Partition Movement.
Mobilization and Organization: Women organized themselves into groups and played a crucial role in mobilizing other women to join the movement.
Symbolic Resistance: Women used symbolic forms of resistance to express their opposition to the partition.

2. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

Gandhi’s Call for Women’s Participation: Mahatma Gandhi actively encouraged women to participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Large-Scale Involvement: Women responded enthusiastically, engaging in activities like picketing liquor shops and foreign cloth stores, propagating Khadi, and participating in processions.
Breaking Social Barriers: This movement marked a significant step in women’s public participation in politics, challenging traditional social barriers.

3. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

Leading Role in Salt Satyagraha: Women, including prominent leaders like Sarojini Naidu, actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha, defying the salt laws.
Picketing and Protests: Women organized widespread picketing of government institutions and foreign goods, facing arrests and imprisonment.
Sustaining the Movement: When male leaders were arrested, women often took the lead in sustaining the momentum of the movement at the local level.

4. Quit India Movement (1942)

Leadership in the Absence of Male Leaders: Following the mass arrests of male leaders, women played a crucial role in leading and organizing the Quit India Movement at various levels.
Underground Activities: Many women went underground, establishing communication networks, distributing propaganda, and organizing resistance activities.
Local and Regional Leadership: Women emerged as key leaders in local and regional uprisings, demonstrating their organizational capabilities and courage.

Women’s Role in Armed Revolutionary Struggles

While the majority of women’s participation in the freedom struggle was through non-violent means, a significant number of women also embraced armed revolutionary struggles, demonstrating immense courage and commitment. Their motivations often stemmed from a deep sense of patriotism and a belief that armed resistance was necessary to overthrow colonial rule.

Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Women’s involvement in armed struggles challenged traditional gender roles and demonstrated their willingness to engage in direct and often dangerous forms of resistance.
Support Roles: Women provided crucial support to male revolutionaries by acting as messengers, providing shelter and food, and helping in the transportation of arms and ammunition.
Direct Participation in Actions: Some women actively participated in armed attacks, bombings, and other revolutionary activities.

Dipali Sangha

Revolutionary Organization: Dipali Sangha was a revolutionary organization for women in Bengal, founded in the early 1930s.
Training and Mobilization: It provided physical and political training to young women, preparing them for active participation in the freedom struggle.
Prominent Members: Many courageous women revolutionaries emerged from the Dipali Sangha, contributing significantly to the armed resistance movement.

Pritilata Waddedar (প্রীতিলতা ওয়াদ্দেদার)

Iconic Revolutionary: Pritilata Waddedar was a prominent Indian revolutionary who joined the armed struggle against British rule.
Attack on European Club: She is best known for leading the attack on the Pahartali European Club in Chittagong in 1932, which displayed the “Dogs and Indians not allowed” sign.
Martyrdom: Pritilata died during the attack, becoming a symbol of courage and sacrifice for the cause of independence.

Kalpana Dutta (কল্পনা দত্ত)

Chittagong Uprising: Kalpana Dutta was another courageous revolutionary who was closely associated with the Chittagong Uprising led by Surya Sen.
Active Participation: She actively participated in planning and executing revolutionary activities.
Imprisonment: Kalpana Dutta was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in the armed struggle.

Assessment of Women’s Movements

The women’s movements in 20th century India were crucial in:

Challenging Patriarchal Structures: They actively challenged and, to some extent, dismantled prevailing patriarchal norms and social inequalities.
Expanding Women’s Public Role: They significantly expanded women’s participation in the public sphere, particularly in politics and social activism.
Contributing to National Liberation: Women’s active involvement in the anti-colonial struggle strengthened the movement and contributed to the achievement of independence.
Raising Awareness of Women’s Rights: They raised awareness about women’s rights and laid the foundation for future struggles for gender equality in independent India.
Empowering Women: Participation in these movements empowered women, fostering a sense of agency and collective strength.

However, it is also important to note that:

Uneven Participation: Participation was not uniform across all sections of women, with urban, educated, and upper-caste women often being more visible.
Limited Focus on All Issues: While significant progress was made, some crucial issues concerning women, particularly those from marginalized communities, received less attention during certain phases.
Continuity of Struggle: The struggle for complete gender equality continued even after independence, highlighting the unfinished agenda of the women’s movements.