Digumarthi Janakibayamma was a freedom fighter from the Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. She followed Gandhian principles and advocated for women’s empowerment.
Janakibayamma began attending Congress meetings and participated in important sessions such as Kakinada Congress Session in 1923 and Lahore Session of 1929. She attended the second Women’s Educational Conference in Delhi, which championed women’s property rights. She then actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha, walking from Vijayanagaram to Visakhapatnam and making salt. Despite being tortured by police for refusing to hand over the salt in her hand, she did not break down, and adhered to her Gandhian beliefs strongly. When all of the men in her group were arrested, she took command of the camp and prepared salt with the help of thirty volunteers. She was eventually arrested and imprisoned for six months as a result of this. She was lathi-charged and arrested again in 1932 for protesting against Gandhi’s arrest. Following her release after 18 months, she focused her efforts on social work, including the establishment of Mahila Samaj, the distribution of milk to children, organizing spinning and weaving competitions, and the establishment of medical centers and adult educational centers.
Janakibayamma served her country until her death in 1986 and is remembered as a true patriot.
Source: Indian Culture Portal