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Aruna Asaf Ali
Aruna Asaf Ali (16 July 1909 – 29 July 1996) was an Indian freedom fighter, socialist activist, and a key figure in the Quit India Movement. She is widely remembered for hoisting the Indian National Flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay in 1942, defying British orders and becoming a symbol of Indian resistance.[1]
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| Aruna Asaf Ali in 1946 | |
| Born | 16 July 1909 (age 115) Kalka, Punjab Province, British India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Freedom Fighter, Politician, Activist |
| Years active | 1930–1996 |
| Known for | Leading the Quit India Movement, Socialist and Leftist activism |
| Notable works | 1942 Flag Hoisting, Underground Freedom Movement, Inquilab publication |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna (1997, posthumous), International Lenin Peace Prize (1964), Padma Vibhushan (1992) |
| Spouse(s) | Asaf Ali |
| Children | |
| Parents | |
| Religion | |
| Website | Government Tribute Portal |
Early Life
Born in Kalka, Punjab Province (British India), Aruna belonged to a Bengali Brahmin family. She studied at Sacred Heart Convent in Lahore and later at All Saints College, Nainital. In 1928, she married Asaf Ali, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, overcoming religious and social barriers.
Role in Freedom Movement
Aruna was arrested during the Salt Satyagraha (1930). However, her pivotal moment came during the Quit India Movement in 1942 when she hoisted the tricolour flag at the Gowalia Tank ground. Post this act, she went underground, editing the banned newspaper Inquilab and evading arrest for several years.[2]
Political Career
After independence, she associated with the Congress Socialist Party and later aligned with the Communist Party of India. She also co-founded the Link Publishing House, which published the *Patriot* newspaper.
Awards and Recognition
- Bharat Ratna (1997) – India’s highest civilian award (posthumously)
- Padma Vibhushan (1992)
- Lenin Peace Prize (1964) from the Soviet Union
- Honoured with postage stamps, institutions, and road names
Legacy
- Remembered as the “Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence”
- One of the first women to go underground for revolutionary activity
- Her life continues to inspire generations of women leaders and freedom lovers