Kamla Bhasin dies at 75

Kamla Bhasin

Eminent women's rights activist, poet and author Kamla Bhasin passed away on Saturday. She was 75. Bhasin has been a prominent voice in the women's movement in India and other South Asian countries.

"Kamla Bhasin, our dear friend, passed away around 3 am on September 25. This is a big setback for the women's movement in India and the South Asian region. She celebrated life whatever the adversity. Kamla you will always live in our hearts. In Sisterhood, which is in deep grief," activist Kavita Srivastava tweeted.

Azaadi, the now common clarion call at protests, was first made famous by Bhasin in the 1990s at the Women Studies Conference in Kolkata's Jadavpur University, as she chanted it to raise her voice against patriarchy, while playing a small drum.

SC lawyer Prashant Bhushan said Bhasin was not only a women's rights activist, but also a philanthropist who set up and helped setting up many fine public Interest institutions like Jagori in Himachal Pradesh and School for Democracy in Rajasthan.

Social activist Harsh Mander also expressed grief at her passing away. "She will remain a massive influence on many generations."

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