Jagmati Sangwan who took Khap head on

Thiruvananthapuram: Jagmati Sangwan who resigned from the CPM on Monday is known for her fight against Haryana’s infamous Khap panchayats. The 56 year old leader who was born in village Butana of Sonipat district, emerged as strong Left leader in Haryana which does not have a powerful Left movement like many other north Indian states.

Belonging to a family of Arya Samaj devotees, she had an opportunity to go to school which many girls were denied in those days. Jagmati became a popular volley ball player even representing the country in international games. Having heard, witnessed the problems of women in Haryana like domestic violence, sexual atrocities, denial of opportunity for higher education, share in property and bar on marriages within the same gotra or clan, she chose to fight for their cause at a young age.

Along with her social work and struggles, Jagmati continued her education and got masters degree in sociology and physical education. Later she did her doctorate in sociology. She was in the forefront of the students movement heading the SFI in Haryana. Her work among women was recognised across the country and she was elected as general secretary of All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA). She played a key role in enrolling 50,000 members in Haryana.

She got married to Inderjeet Singh who is currently the state secretary of CPM’s Haryana unit. Jagmati played a key role in taking up many social issues. She led the relentless campaign against female foeticide and honoured the couples having a single girl child.

The high points in her social work included barging into a meeting of khap panchayt in Rohtak in 1982 which are out of bounds for women. The fight against Khap panchayat decision to annul the solemnised marriage Sonia and Rampal and campaign to nab the culprits behind Manoj and Babli's honor killing, were some of the major struggles she took part in.