Sucheta Kripalani (née Majumdar) (25 June 1908 – 1 December 1974) was an Indian politician, freedom fighter, and the first ever woman to hold the position of Chief Minister in India. She held the office of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh between October 1963 and March 1967, and it was a milestone moment for Indian political history.
Early Life and Education
A Bengali Brahmo family, Sucheta was born to Surendranath Majumdar, a medical officer whose transfers were so frequent that she had to switch several schools. She did her post-secondary education with a Master's degree in History at St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. She also attended Indraprastha College and Punjab University.
Entry into Politics and Freedom Struggle
Sucheta Kripalani’s political awakening coincided with the growing nationalist movement in India. She became deeply involved in the struggle for independence, joining the Indian National Congress in 1938. She was an active participant in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and was arrested and imprisoned by the British authorities for her role.
She wedded J.B. Kripalani (Acharya Kripalani), a senior Congress leader and Gandhian, in 1936 against the backdrop of early resistance from both sets of parents as well as Mahatma Gandhi himself. They had a shared faith in Gandhian ideals even as they occasionally differed on politics.
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Role in Constituent Assembly and Independence
Kripalani was among the few women who were elected to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1946 for the United Provinces. She was involved in the preparation of the Indian Constitution and was a member of the Flag Presentation Committee that submitted the first Indian flag to the Assembly. On India's independence eve, she became known for singing Vande Mataram at the Independence Session of the Constituent Assembly, immediately preceding Jawaharlal Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny" speech.
She also cooperated intensely with Gandhi during the Partition riots, particularly going along with him to Noakhali in 1946 to facilitate the restoration of peace. She facilitated the rehabilitation of refugees during the Partition trauma and later the Indo-Pak War of 1971.
Political Career After Independence
Sucheta Kripalani was elected to the initial Lok Sabha in 1952 from New Delhi on a Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP) ticket, defeating the Congress candidate of Congress. She returned to Congress later and was re-elected in 1957. She remained Minister of Labour, Community Development, and Industry in Uttar Pradesh between 1960 and 1963.
In October 1963, following a Congress Legislative Party leadership election, she was chosen as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh by a large majority. She thus became the first woman to become Chief Minister in any Indian state. She served until March 1967.
Kripalani’s administration was noted for its firmness and fairness. One of the defining moments of her tenure was the handling of the first-ever state employees’ strike in Uttar Pradesh, which lasted 62 days.
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She refused to yield to their demands for a pay hike but agreed to compromise when the strike leaders softened their stance, thereby maintaining administrative discipline without alienating the workforce.
Her administration centered on enhancing infrastructure, education, and health, fostering social justice, and fighting corruption. She was admired for her honest governance and dedication to public well-being.
Later Life and Legacy
She sided with the Morarji Desai group after Congress fragmented in 1969 and ran for the 1971 Lok Sabha elections from Faizabad but lost. She then retired from politics and lived in solitude until her death in 1974.
Sucheta Kripalani’s legacy is profound as a trailblazer for women in Indian politics. She was a fearless freedom fighter, a dedicated Gandhian, and a firm yet fair administrator. She also founded the All India Mahila Congress in 1940, advocating for women’s participation in politics.
Her autobiography, Sucheta: An Unfinished Autobiography, offers personal insights into her life and the freedom struggle.
Sucheta Kriplani is still a symbol of strength, leadership, and commitment to India's development and women empowerment.
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