Baji Jamalunnisa

Baji Jamalunnisa (1915 – 2016) was an Indian freedom fighter, social worker and advocate.

Early life and background
She was born in 1915 in Hyderabad, she matured into a young woman with a strong sense of independence, thanks to the liberal upbringing and complete freedom bestowed upon her by her parents.

Life
At the age of 13, she began reading the banned newspaper, Nigaar. She held strong resentment towards the British Government, conservative religious traditions, and the Nizam establishment, which had become affiliated with the British. Despite the narrow-mindedness of her in-laws, she remained steadfast in her independent ideas and practices. Hasrat Mohani, known as the Thunder bolt in the Indian freedom movement, had a profound influence on her. Inspired by him, she actively participated in national and anti-imperialist movements. As a communist, Baji adhered to the decision of the Communist party not to join the Quit India Movement, but she provided shelter to freedom fighters during that time. Despite lacking formal education, she diligently learned Urdu and English languages. She initiated a progressive literary organization called Bazme Ehabad, where extensive discussions on literary topics, the national movement, socialism, communism, and other irrational traditions took place. Her sister Razia and brothers also actively participated in these discussions. Fearlessly, she designed programs based on these discussions and conducted them. Razia Begum, Anwar, and Jafar wholeheartedly supported Jamalunnisa Baji in this endeavor. In 1946, Baji became a member of the Communist Party of India.

She is buried at the Hazrath Syed Ahmed Bad-e-Pah dargah in First Lancer. She was the sister of Syed Akthar Hasan, a former MLA and the founder of Payam Daily.