Page 46 - NIS English January 16-31,2023
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Nation Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
SATYAVATI DEVI TEJ BAHADUR SAPRU
WHOM MAHATMA GANDHI HELPED IN GANDHI-
CALLED 'TOOFANI BAHEN' IRWIN PACT IN 1931
Born: 26 January 1906, Died: 21 October 1945 Born: 8 December 1875, Died: 20 January, 1949
atyavati Devi, who continuously challenged ej Bahadur Sapru, one of the great liberal leaders of
Sthe British rule with her courage, Tthe country, was born on 8 December 1875 in Aligarh.
organizational ability and tireless work Sapru, a lawyer by profession, was a prominent figure
was born on 26 January 1906 in Jalandhar, in India's freedom struggle. He obtained his law degree
Punjab. She was the granddaughter of Swami from Agra College. He also participated in Annie Besant's
Shraddhanand, associated with the Arya Samaj, Home Rule League movement. He played a key role in
and the daughter of Dhani Ram and Vedkumari. the drafting of the Indian Constitution. Tej Bahadur Sapru
The patriotic atmosphere of the house had an facilitated the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, only after which
impact on Satyavati's life. Meanwhile, she came the Congress was able to participate in the Second Round
in contact with leaders of the freedom struggle Table Conference.
like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Jai In September 1932, Mahatma Gandhi began a fast to
Prakash Narayan and Sarojini Naidu. protest against the Communal Award, which provided for
Satyavati Devi was married to Lala Achint separate electorates for the deprieved classes. After this,
Ram, a Delhi textile mill official who is also Sapru also played an important role in the Poona Pact
known as the Gandhi of Punjab. On coming to for the amendment of the Communal Award. After the
Delhi after marriage, Satyavati Devi joined the agreement, Mahatma Gandhi ended the fast. After the
freedom struggle in 1930 at the age of 23. She failure of the Gandhi-Jinnah talks, Sapru was appointed
became so active in the national independence chairman of a committee formed in November 1944 to
movement that Mahatma Gandhi fondly called investigate the communal issue in the judicial sphere.
her 'Toofani Bahen' and 'Bahen Satyavati'. Sapru, as chairman, formed a committee consisting of
Even Aruna Asaf Ali says that she had entered 29 members from all communal groups and submitted
the national movement with the inspiration of proposals to the Viceroy, Lord Wavell, in an attempt to
Satyavati Devi. break the political impasse. The report of the committee
Satyavati Devi, who strengthened freedom made a detailed historical analysis of the proposals
movement in Delhi, is also called the first and highlighted the rationale for the constitutional
woman Satyagrahi of Delhi. Satyavati Devi recommendations. On the important question of partition,
played an important role in organizing women the Sapru Committee urged to postpone the formation of
in large numbers for the 'Civil Disobedience Pakistan. Tej Bahadur Sapru, a big supporter of Hindu-
Movement'. As an effective orator Satyavati Devi Muslim unity, tried his best to stop this division. Sapru
used to inspire women a lot the effect of which was also a member of the defence committee during
was that women started joining the movement the 1945 treason trial of the officers of the Azad Hind
in large numbers, boycotting foreign clothes. Fauj. He played an important role in fighting the case
It is said that she was arrested several times of Azad Hind Fauj fighters. Sapru was also associated
during freedom movement. She worked hard with a newspaper called 'The Leader'. The Leader was an
for the revival of village industry. She worked English newspaper started by Mahamana Madan Mohan
tirelessly till her death at the young age of 39 to Malaviya. Tej Bahadur Sapru died on January 20, 1949.
remove poverty, ignorance and communalism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on July 1, 2017, while
A college of Delhi University has been named remembering the freedom fighters associated with the
after this great freedom fighter. She died on 21 law profession including Tej Bahadur Sapru, said that
October 1945 due to poor health. there are countless names who gave up their youth for
the country.
44 New India Samachar January 16-31, 2023
