Women Figures in the Telangana Movement

Sangam Laxmibai (1911-1979)

• Born in 1911 in a hamlet near Ghatkesar (Medchal district).
• Educated at the University of Karve and Sharada Niketan.
• Actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha and the Anti-Simon Commission movement (1928).
• Held several political roles:
  • Deputy Minister of Education (1954-56) in Hyderabad State Legislature.
  • Elected Lok Sabha MP (Medak Constituency) in 1957, 1962, and 1967.
• Played a significant role in the 1969 Telangana movement, preparing to resign as an MP in support of the cause.
• Led Vinobha Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement in Telangana.
• Authored Na Jailu Gnapakalu Anubhavalu while in jail.
• Founded Indira Sevasadan Society to support women and girls.

Masuma Begum

• Born in 1901 in Hyderabad.
• Awarded the Lady Baden Powell Medal for services to the Indian Scouts.
• First Muslim woman minister in India.
• President of the All India Women’s Conference (1962-64).
• Supported the 1969 Telangana Movement.

TN Sadalaxmi

• Influential speaker during the 1969 Telangana movement.
• Belonged to the Mehar caste, a Dalit sub-caste.
• Chaired the Telangana Praja Samithi.
• Political roles:
  • Initially elected from Peddapalli constituency and later as MLA from Kamareddy.
  • Served as Minister of Devadaya in Neelam Sanjiv Reddy’s Cabinet.
  • First woman Deputy Speaker during Damodaram Sanjeevayya’s tenure.
• Joined the Telugu Desam Party in 1982.
• Established Bandhu Seva Mandali and Leadcop Organisation.

J Eshwaribai

• Born in Secunderabad in 1918 into a Dalit family.
• Inspired by Ambedkar’s teachings, worked for Dalit rights.
• Elected to the AP Legislative Assembly from Ellareddy constituency (Nizamabad) on behalf of the Republican Party.
• Served as Secretary of the Republican Party.

Geetanjali Pillai & Hamsa Rani

• On 6th August 1969, Kumari Geetanjali Pillai led 12 young women in Satyagraha in Secunderabad, resulting in their arrest.
• Kumari Hamsa Rani led young girls in Satyagraha at Chadar Ghat Bridge and Isamia Bazaar.
• Narasamma led similar protests in Abids.
• The movement was temporarily halted thereafter.