AZAD FOUNDATION

On Dakshayani Velayudhan’s birth anniversary, we honour a pioneer who challenged caste and gender barriers at every step of her life.

The only Dalit woman and one of the youngest members of our Constituent Assembly, Dakshayani Velayudhan broke social taboos from childhood, became the first Dalit woman graduate from Cochin (now Kochi), and used her voice to advocate for equality, dignity, and justice. A steadfast supporter of abolishing untouchability, she championed Article 17 of the Indian Constitution.

She believed lasting change required transforming hearts and minds through education and sustained public action. She envisioned a Constitution that would not merely govern a nation, but create "a new framework of life" for those long denied equality.

Her life embodied that vision. She challenged caste discrimination not only through her words but through her choices, breaking barriers in education, public life, and politics while refusing to accept exclusion as inevitable.

Today, we honour her legacy and renew our commitment to the unfinished work of social equality.