Pushpalata Das

Pushpalata Das Biography

Pushpalata Das was an Indian independence activist, social worker and politician from the state of Assam. Associated with Indian national congress, she served as a member of Rajya Sabha from 1951 to 1961. She has also served as a member of Assam legislative assembly. Das was also known as a Gandhian. She was married to Omeo Kumar Das, a social worker, Gandhian, educationist, writer and politician. Both of them have been honoured with the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan by government of India. When Omeo Kumar Das received the honour in 1963, his wife was honoured with the same in 1999. She was also a recipient of Tamrapatra Freedom Fighter Award. She passed away in 2003 aged 88.

Pushpalata Das was born on 27 March 1915 in North Lakhimpur, Assam. Rameswar Saikia and Swarnalata were her parents. She started her political activities from school days, while studying at Panbazar Girls High School. When she protested for the hanging of Bhagat Singh and his associates in 1931, she was expelled from the school. She continued her studies as a private student and passed the matriculation examination in 1934. Later she studied at Benaras Hindu University and Andhra University. She completed her Law studies.

She actively participated in Quit India Movement and remained a Gandhian throughout her lifetime. She worked alongside Mridula Sarabhai and Vijaya Laxmi Pandit, and also with her husband. She married Omeo Kumar Das, who also followed the same path and principles. The couple had one daughter. After Indian independence, she continued with her political career. Das couple focused their activities in Dhekiajuli in Assam, where Omeo served as MLA from 1951 to 1967. Pushpalata Das was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1951 and held the position 1961.

When her husband vacated Dhekiajuli constituency after long 17 years, she successfully contested from the same seat in 1967. She repeated the success in 1971 also. Following her husband’s death in 1975, she withdrew from active politics and concentrated more on social service. Rajarama Sukla rashtriyaatma varcasva evam krtitva, san 1898-1962 (1976) is a book published by her.  

Published: February 27, 2019

Updated: February 27, 2019