Unpacking the histories, contours and multiplicity of India’s women’s movement(s): An interview with Uma Chakravarti

Abstract

Uma Chakravarti is a distinguished feminist activist, historian, teacher and film-maker. She taught at Miranda House, University of Delhi and has been a leading light of India’s women’s movement(s) for more than forty years. She has written extensively about women’s issues ranging from the women characters in mythology, the treatment of upper caste Hindu widows and caste-based violence to state repression and ‘sexual governance’. Having witnessed the violence of the Indian partition at a young age, she has always been deeply committed to democracy and involved in upholding the right to dissent. She has been a member of multiple
fact-finding teams that have investigated communal riots and human rights violations in India; for example, the International Tribunal on Justice for Gujarat. Her books include Rewriting history: the life and times of Pandita Ramabai, Everyday lives, everyday histories: beyond the kings and Brahmanas of 'ancient' India, The Delhi riots: three days in the life of a nation and Speaking peace: women's voices from Kashmir. Her documentaries include Fragments of a past, A quiet little entry and Ek inquilab aur aaya.