People's Democracy

We Will Carry On The Struggle, Comrade Ahilya!

THE voices from across all sections that joined in the slogans of �Comrade Ahilya amar rahe�, �Comrade Ahilya ko lal salaam�, resounded through BTR Bhavan, at the condolence meeting held for Ahilya Rangnekar on April 30, 2009 by AIDWA.

Among the participants at the well attended condolence meeting were senior leaders of the women�s movement, trade unionists, leaders of the peasant organisations, journalists, academics and numerous AIDWA activists and members, young and old, women and men.

Listening to the range of experiences shared by the speakers, a young comrade later said, �We were so impressed and inspired by the wealth of information about her life and times, of which we knew very little. It is vitally necessary to share these aspects more widely amongst our young cadres.�

Truly, the rich tributes that were paid to Ahilyatai by different sections revealed the extent to which her life had been one of relentless struggle in the cause of justice and women�s emancipation. The meeting was presided over by AIDWA president, Subhashini Ali, beginning with floral tributes and a one minute silence in memory.

AIDWA general secretary Sudha Sundararaman highlighted the fearless way in which Ahilya braved bullets, jail sentences and all forms of repression during the freedom struggle. Even in jail, she organised the hoisting of a tricolour flag made up with the coloured saris of women prisoners. She understood the importance of combining the anti imperialist struggle with the struggle for social reform. Both before and after independence, she stood up for the rights of dalits, and against all forms of communal fundamentalism. Her belief in the militancy of the working people, especially working women, was deep. She was also able to bring together diverse organisations into joint struggles, as the powerful anti price rise agitations in Mumbai, in 1972, proved. She worked till the end to realise women�s democratic entitlements. It was under the leadership of such founding leaders that AIDWA has developed into the organisation it is today.

AIDWA patron, Pramila Pandhe, brought to mind the early years when as young, 12 year old students, she, Ahilya and others would cycle to areas and hold meetings, and how the revolutionary spirit that was imbibed at such a young age continued till the very end. She recalled the camaraderie with which Ahilya would land up in Delhi and stay with her when she was an elected MP.

On behalf of NFIW, Primila Loomba expressed grief at the loss of this powerful voice for the rights of women. She recalled the dedication exemplified by the revolutionaries of yore. Though they were passing away one by one, their spirit would never die, and said that she felt that they were birds of a feather. She underscored the importance of the concept that equality cannot be divided up between different sections - it has to be for all.

From the CITU, S  Dev Roy spoke about the historic period in which Ahilyatai strode as a brave fighter for the rights of the working people, and the oppressed sections like dalits, adivasis, and women. He noted how the freedom movement was also linked to the struggle against the feudal forces, and how Comrade Ahilya was an uncompromising revolutionary at all times. She lived her life by Marxist precepts, and led struggles with the people on a wide range of issues.

Ranjana Nirula, speaking from the working women�s coordination committee of the CITU, emphasised how Comrade Ahilya was able to relate women�s oppression across gender and class, and bring this together into a commonality of purpose. There were no barriers between women�s struggles as members of a class, and as women. She also recalled the powerful methods that Ahilyatai employed to address gender discrimination amongst beedi workers. At that time, men and women were paid different rates for bundling up the same number of beedis, and to demarcate the two, the strings were of different colours. Ahilya suggested that the strings be interchanged between men and women workers, so that the contractors would not know who had tied up which bundles. She also told the women to wear pants and shirt while going to claim their payment!

Indu Agnihotri spoke about the political significance of bringing middle class women onto the streets, and the way in which Ahilyatai was able to break the notions of so called middle class respectability. Her ability to mobilise people in struggle was unparalleled, as was her ceaseless endeavour to draw women away from superstitions and obscurantist traditions. Indu shared an experience wherein when she spoke at a meeting in a very soft tone, Ahilyatai roundly berated her, saying, �With this kind of voice, how can you raise the revolutionary spirit?�

Condolence messages were received from AIKS, JWP, and other organisations.

Finally, Subhashini Ali gave a comprehensive address in which she brought out the main events of Ahilyatai�s life, and her contribution to important struggles across time periods - before and after independence. The struggle against all forms of injustice, whether in the name of caste, religion or gender was part and parcel of her life. During the freedom struggle, she was one of the militant voices of anti imperialism, and even the death of her friend in the firing by the British during the RIN revolt did not daunt her. She was against all forms of rituals and superstition. During the discussions around the Hindu Code Bill, when the Sangh Parivar forces tried to defend bigamy in the name of culture, she boldly led a chair throwing protest against these leaders!

At one time when a delegation wanted to meet the chief minister of Maharashtra, but was not receiving permission Ahilyatai was contacted, and she said, �Don�t worry, let us go.� The guard at the assembly saluted her and let the delegation in. Officers scurried to her side, and ushered her in. She charged into the chief minister�s office without any hesitation, and he stood up to receive her with respect. This was the kind of reputation and impact that she had.

Her humour and turn of phrase were legendary. So was her concern for activists, whom she treated as her own family. She would never berate them, or talk down to them, and she was loved by them. Her simplicity continued even when she became municipality member for 20 years, and an MP. She would not allow her son to buy her a car, saying this was a privilege. Her ability to rouse the masses was phenomenal. She lived, and passed away, as a true revolutionary.

The meeting ended with all present pledging to carry on the struggle for equality and against all forms of injustice and exploitation.

Ahilyatai Zindabad! Long Live Ahilyatai!