International Day Of Peace 2026: 5 Women Who Took Gandhi’s Idea Of Non-Violence Beyond The Ashram

Mahatma Gandhi was the pioneer of using non-violent means to fight for rights and freedom. There were several women with him who took his teachings and viewpoints forward even after India gained independence in 1947. On International Day of Peace 2026, here are 5 women who made Gandhi's ahimsa a living revolution.

5 Women Who Took The Idea Of Non-Violence Beyond The Ashram

From Sarojini Naidu to Aruna Asaf Ali, meet the women who turned Gandhian satyagraha into real movements after India's independence. 

1. Sarojini Naidu

Called 'Nightingale of India', Sarojini Naidu was Mahatma Gandhi's close political associate. She also led the Salt Satyagraha at Dandi Salt Works in 1930 after Gandhi was jailed. After 1947, as India got its independence, she became the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh (1947-49) and continued non-violent politics.

2. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay is often credited with convincing Mahatma Gandhi to include women in the Salt Satyagraha and was the first woman arrested for selling salt. After independence, she contributed in many ways, including reviving Indian handicrafts and handlooms, and founded the National School of Drama and the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

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3. Aruna Asaf Ali

Aruna Asaf Ali played a significant role in the 1942 Quit India Movement and was even called the Queen of the 1942 movement. She was also the editor of the magazine 'Inquilab'. Later, she joined politics and was associated with the social welfare of the country. In 1958, she became the first Mayor of Delhi.

4. Sucheta Kriplani

Sucheta Kriplani was also Gandhi's follower and worked with him during the Noakhali riots. One of the highlights of her fight for freedom was that she sang Vande Mataram in the Constituent Assembly on 14th Aug 1947. After independence, she became India's first woman Chief Minister (Uttar Pradesh, 1963-67) and followed Gandhian simplicity.

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5. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was Mahatma Gandhi's secretary for 16 years. After India gained freedom, she became the country's first Health Minister and founded AIIMS Delhi on the Gandhian principle of service to the poor.

Conclusion:

Mahatma Gandhi gave us non-violence as an idea, but these women gave it legs, voice, and life. On this International Day of Peace, their stories remind us that real peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)
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