Sucheta Kriplani

 

Sucheta Kriplani

“A passionate advocate for greater participation of women in politics” Sucheta Kriplani practiced what she preached.

Kripalani became the first woman to serve as the Chief Minister of India’s largest province, Uttar Pradesh

Born in Punjab in 1908, Sucheta Kripalani was an activist and freedom fighter during India’s independence movement. Although she was known for her iron will and steadfast leadership capabilities, Kripalani confesses to being a shy and self-conscious child. It was only after witnessing horrific events carried out by the British occupation, most notably, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, when she developed the same passion for freedom and equality as Mahatma Gandhi, and found her voice.

Kripalani studied at Indraprastha College and Punjab University before becoming a professor of constitutional history at Banaras Hindu University. Kripalani garnered a public image when she joined the “Quit India” movement and began working closely with Mahatma Gandhi during partition riots.

When India gained independence, Kripalani was one of a very few women elected to the Constituent Assembly of India, and was placed on the subcommittee responsible for drafting the Indian constitution. In October of 1963, Kripalani became the first woman to serve as the Chief Minister of India’s largest province, Uttar Pradesh. Although Kripalani passed away in 1974, she is still revered in India as a symbol of female empowerment.