Purnima Banerjee

Purnima Banerjee (1911–1951) was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, political activist, and social reformer known for her deep commitment to India’s struggle for independence and her contributions to the framing of the Indian Constitution. As one of the few women members of the Constituent Assembly of India, she played a key role in advocating for fundamental rights, gender equality, and democratic governance. Her activism was closely tied to grassroots mobilisation, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where she worked to bring the ideals of nationalism and social reform to the masses.

Early Life and Background

Purnima Banerjee was born in 1911 in Kalka, Punjab Province (now in Haryana), into a progressive Bengali family with strong intellectual and nationalist traditions. She was the younger sister of Aruna Asaf Ali, another distinguished leader of India’s independence movement. The Banerjee sisters were influenced by the liberal and reformist ideas of the Brahmo Samaj, which emphasised education, equality, and social justice.
Purnima was educated in both English and Indian traditions, gaining exposure to the works of Indian nationalists and social reformers. This upbringing shaped her commitment to both political freedom and social equity. From an early age, she became involved in student movements and local political activities, showing exceptional leadership and organisational skills.

Involvement in the Freedom Struggle

Purnima Banerjee was among the younger generation of freedom fighters who carried forward Mahatma Gandhi’s message of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. She became an active participant in the Indian National Congress, focusing on mobilising youth, women, and rural communities.
During the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934), she played a major role in organising protests, marches, and boycotts against British goods. She also participated in salt satyagrahas and was arrested multiple times for her involvement in nationalist activities. Her leadership in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) made her a prominent figure in the political life of the United Provinces.
Later, during the Quit India Movement (1942), she once again took a leading role in coordinating underground resistance efforts after the arrest of senior Congress leaders. Despite repeated imprisonment by colonial authorities, she continued to work tirelessly for India’s independence.
Purnima’s activism reflected a balance between political struggle and social service. She believed that political freedom must go hand in hand with social and educational advancement, particularly for women and the poor.

Social and Educational Work

Beyond her role as a political leader, Purnima Banerjee was deeply involved in social welfare and education. She was inspired by Gandhian ideals of rural upliftment, simplicity, and self-reliance.
Her key contributions included:

• Promoting basic education among women and underprivileged groups in rural areas.
• Supporting Khadi and village industries, in line with Gandhian economic principles.
• Advocating for women’s political participation and leadership within the Indian National Congress.
• Organising community development programmes, particularly in and around Allahabad.

Her ability to connect with people from different backgrounds—peasants, students, and workers—made her an effective grassroots organiser.

Role in the Constituent Assembly of India

Purnima Banerjee was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India from the United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh), becoming one of only fifteen women to serve in the body that drafted the Constitution. Her participation was characterised by her commitment to democratic ideals and her emphasis on social justice.
She was a member of committees dealing with fundamental rights, citizenship, and social policy, where she advocated for equality before the law, freedom of expression, and the protection of minority rights. She strongly supported universal adult franchise, believing that democracy must rest upon the participation of all citizens, regardless of gender, caste, or social status.
Her speeches and interventions in the Assembly reflected her concern for the poor and marginalised, particularly women and rural workers. She viewed the Constitution not merely as a legal framework but as a means to achieve social transformation and national unity.

Association with Other Freedom Leaders

Purnima Banerjee maintained close associations with several leading figures of the Indian independence movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose. While she admired Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, she was also receptive to the socialist and progressive ideas of leaders like Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan.
Her connection to Allahabad placed her in the midst of India’s intellectual and political activity. The city served as a major hub of Congress operations, and she worked closely with local leaders to implement national strategies at the provincial level.

Political Philosophy and Ideals

Purnima Banerjee’s political philosophy was guided by the belief that independence would be meaningless without social equality. Her vision for India included:

• Gender Equality: Ensuring women’s full participation in education, employment, and politics.
• Social Justice: Eliminating caste discrimination and uplifting rural populations.
• Democratic Governance: Building an inclusive political system based on liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• Education and Empowerment: Using education as a tool for social and economic reform.

She was also deeply committed to secularism, seeing communal harmony as vital to India’s unity.

Later Life and Legacy

After independence in 1947, Purnima Banerjee continued to serve in public life, focusing on education, social reform, and women’s rights. However, her health began to decline in the late 1940s, exacerbated by years of imprisonment and strenuous activism. She passed away prematurely in 1951, at the age of only 40.
Though her life was brief, her contributions left a lasting mark on India’s democratic foundations. She represents a generation of women leaders who, despite social constraints, shaped the political destiny of the nation.

Commemoration and Historical Significance

Purnima Banerjee’s role is often remembered alongside that of her sister Aruna Asaf Ali, symbolising the courage and resilience of Indian women during the freedom struggle. While her name is less widely known today, historians and scholars recognise her as a pioneer of participatory democracy and a champion of women’s empowerment.
Her legacy endures through:

• Her contributions to the Constituent Assembly Debates, which remain an important record of India’s constitutional thought.
• Her example of combining political activism with social service.
• The ongoing recognition of women’s crucial role in India’s independence and governance.