BBC 100 Women 2024 Honoree Aruna Roy: India’s Voice for the Voiceless

SOCIAL

BBC 100 Women 2024 Honoree Aruna Roy: India’s Voice for the Voiceless

03 DEC 2024

Aruna Roy, renowned Indian social activist and co-founder of MKSS, has spent decades championing transparency, fair wages, and grassroots democracy. Recognized globally, including in BBC’s 100 Women of 2024, she played a pivotal role in enacting India’s landmark Right to Information Act.

Social activist Aruna Roy (Photo Credit: R. Ravindran)

Aruna Roy has spent decades reshaping India’s democratic landscape, championing the causes of transparency and social justice. Her commitment to the marginalized has left an indelible mark on the nation's governance and inspired countless movements. Named among the BBC’s 100 Women of 2024, Roy’s life and work are a testament to the power of grassroots activism and collective action.

Growing up in Chennai, Aruna was deeply influenced by her parents—her father, a civil servant with a strong social conscience, and her mother, who instilled resilience and independence. After studying at Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry and Indraprastha College in Delhi, she began teaching. However, her desire for systemic change led her to join the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) in 1967, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by India’s rural poor. Roy’s time in the IAS exposed her to the stark realities of systemic inequities. Frustrated by bureaucratic constraints, she resigned in 1974 to work directly with communities. This decision marked a turning point, as she shifted her focus to empowering the underserved. Her journey from a civil servant to an activist was fueled by a determination to challenge the status quo and seek meaningful change.

In 1990, Roy co-founded the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan, a collective advocating for the rights of rural workers. Initially focused on fair wages, MKSS grew into a movement that demanded accountability through public hearings, known as Jan Sunwais. These gatherings allowed citizens to audit government expenditures, exposing corruption and fostering a culture of transparency.

Aruna Roy, author, The Personal is Political; An Activist’s Memoir. (Photo credit: Amal KS/HT)

Roy’s advocacy reached its zenith with the enactment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2005. The legislation, which empowers citizens to access government records, has become a cornerstone of participatory democracy in India. For millions, RTI is a vital tool to expose corruption and ensure accountability, reflecting Roy’s vision of a government that answers to its people.

Her achievements have been widely recognized. In 2000, she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, often referred to as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Time Magazine listed her among the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2011. Her inclusion in BBC’s 100 Women of 2024 highlights her continued relevance in the global fight for justice and equality.

Beyond MKSS, Roy has been a staunch advocate for women’s rights as the President of the National Federation of Indian Women. She has worked to improve labor conditions, push for minimum wages, and ensure equality in the workplace. Her belief in people-led initiatives underscores her approach to activism, empowering communities to lead their own fight for justice.

This year, Roy released her memoir, The Personal is Political, delving into her life’s work and the interconnectedness of personal experiences with broader social systems. The book offers a poignant reflection on her journey, capturing the resilience and struggles of the communities she has worked with and the collective victories they have achieved.

Aruna Roy’s work exemplifies the ideals of democracy and empowerment. In a time when governance often feels distant from its citizens, she has bridged the gap, amplifying the voices of the marginalized. Her legacy inspires a new generation of activists to believe in the power of grassroots movements to challenge entrenched inequalities.

As inequalities continue to rise, Roy’s life stands as a reminder that meaningful change is not only necessary but achievable. Her story is one of hope, resilience, and the enduring belief in the power of ordinary people to reshape their realities.