Born: July 4, 1912
Died: July 20, 1978
Place of Birth: Mulavukad, Cochin (now in Kerala)
Caste/Community: Pulaya (Scheduled Caste)

In a time when Dalit women were doubly marginalized—first by caste, then by gender—Dakshayani Velayudhan emerged as a fearless voice from Kerala who dared to stand at the heart of India’s nation-building. She holds the historic distinction of being the first and only Dalit woman member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

Born into the Pulaya community, among the most oppressed in Kerala’s caste hierarchy, Dakshayani’s early life was shaped by her community’s deep struggles for dignity and access. Despite enormous societal obstacles, she became the first woman from her community to earn a college degree. At a time when Dalits were not allowed to enter schools, her achievement was revolutionary.

In 1946, she was nominated to the Constituent Assembly, making her not just a political figure but a symbol of what the new India could become — inclusive, equal, and just. She shared the historic floor with B.R. Ambedkar, Gandhi, and Nehru, but she stood uniquely poised as a woman, a Dalit, and a voice for the marginalized.

In her speeches, Dakshayani spoke with clarity and courage. She demanded the annihilation of untouchability, not just as a constitutional promise, but as a living practice to be eliminated through moral and social reform. Unlike many, she believed in constructive dialogue rather than vengeance, often calling for unity and ethical rebuilding of Indian society.

She also refused to wear caste markers and often made bold statements by her presence alone—a Dalit woman in white khadi, pen in hand, shaping the constitution of the largest democracy in the world. Her presence itself was a disruption to centuries of caste-based silencing.

Legacy
Despite being a pivotal figure, Dakshayani Velayudhan’s name is seldom found in history textbooks. But slowly, the veil is lifting. Her work laid the foundation for constitutional safeguards that protect Dalits and women today. She continues to inspire a new generation of intersectional feminists and anti-caste activists, reminding us that progress doesn’t come from privilege—it comes from the audacity to speak truth in halls of power.

Her life is proof that representation matters — not just symbolically, but in reshaping laws, lives, and legacies. Dakshayani’s voice still echoes, asking us to finish the work she helped begin: a truly equal India.