Mourning the death of Captain Lakshmi Sahgal on Monday, a cross-section of women intellectuals and political activists in the State pointed out that she was an icon of Indian women's struggles for social emancipation.
“As an untiring crusader for empowerment of the poor and as a political activist, she proved what a woman with determination and uncompromising principles can do for society,” said writer and social activist Sara Joseph.
Captain Lakshmi was highly successful in linking class struggle to gender issues, she noted.
“For the poor refugees and the marginalised society at Kanpur she was not a leader of the all-woman Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army, but just ‘mummyji’ who attended to their needs when they fell ill free of cost. She served them even in her 90s. Her busy clinic at Kanpur was a solace for the poor. She was not an individual but an institution. She lived a full life,” Ms. Joseph said.
Captain Lakshmi’s Anakkara Vadakkath Tharavadu has contributed an array of brave women to the country including her mother Ammukutty, daughter Subhashini Ali, sister Mrunalini Sarabhai and her daughter Mallika Sarabhai.
Pride of womanhood
Captain Lakshmi was the pride of Indian womanhood, said former Minister P.K. Sreemathy.
As a qualified medical professional she could have pursued a lucrative profession. A non-conformist in absolute terms, she was drawn to the freedom struggle and became the leader of the all-woman regiment of the Indian National Army, she noted.
“She retained an electric presence even in her 90s,” said Ms. Sreemathy.
Writer and social activist Devaki Nilayangode said Captain Lakshmi was an inspiration for her generation for fighting against social evils. “Though we lived in neighbouring villages, I never had an opportunity to meet her. But I grew up hearing about the courage and struggles led by the women in her family. Their non-conformist stand had always inspired me,” she said.
Service to the poor
The ever-energetic woman was the face of women’s struggles, said T.N. Seema, MP. Right from her days in medical college she participated in the freedom struggles. When the country got independence, she did not think twice about what should be her field of action, she said.
“As a doctor she served the poorest of poor. As a Communist leader she fought for the rights of textile workers in UP. She was the first vice-president of All India Democratic Women’s Association,” Ms. Seema said.
J. Devika, writer and professor at the Centre for Development Studies, said Captain Lakshmi had created a niche for herself in Indian politics. “Even when many women in that era quit their studies to join the freedom struggle, she pursed her studies and became a medical practitioner. Anticipating the possible power struggles in mainstream politics, she set up an alternative social space for herself as a doctor,” she said.
AICC secretary Shanimol Usman said Captain Lakshmi vigorously fought for the women’s cause. Though people from Kerala never had an opportunity to know her closely, her presence in Indian politics was an inspiration for all women, she added.
The CPI(M) Red Flag said she was a top leader of the Left movement in the country and a great freedom fighter.
