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Anasuya Sarabhai
Anasuya Sarabhai, born on November 11, 1885, in Ahmedabad, was a pioneering figure in India’s women’s labour movement and a significant contributor to the country’s freedom struggle and socialist movement. She is often referred to as Motaben, meaning “elder sister” in Gujarati, and is celebrated for her relentless advocacy for workers’ rights, particularly among women in the textile industry.
Early Life and Education:
- Anasuya was born into the affluent Sarabhai family, which is known for its industrial ventures.
- After losing her parents at a young age, she faced a forced marriage at 13, which she later annulled.
- Seeking education, she travelled to England in 1912 to pursue a medical degree but shifted to the London School of Economics due to her ethical beliefs against animal dissection.
- Influenced by the Fabian Society and the Suffragette movement, she developed a strong commitment to social equality and labour rights during her time in England.
Role in the Labour Movement:
- Upon returning to India in 1913, Sarabhai began advocating for the rights of mill workers, particularly women who endured harsh working conditions.
- Her activism was ignited after witnessing female workers returning home exhausted from gruelling shifts.
- In 1914, she organised her first strike in Ahmedabad, which lasted for 21 days and successfully negotiated better wages for the workers.
- In 1920, she founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association (Majdoor Mahajan Sangh), which became India’s oldest textile workers’ union. Sarabhai served as its lifelong president and played a crucial role in mediating between workers and mill owners to maintain harmonious relations while advocating for fair labour practices.
- Her efforts were instrumental during significant events like the Kheda Satyagraha and the protests against the Rowlatt Bill, where she was among the first signatories of Gandhi’s Satyagraha Pledge.
Legacy:
- Anasuya Sarabhai’s contributions extended beyond labour rights; she also focused on women’s education and empowerment.
- Her mentorship influenced many future leaders, including Ela Bhatt, who later founded the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
