Sornathammal
Sornathammal was an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who actively participated in the Indian independence movement.
Early life and family
Sornathammal was born in 1916 in Madurai, in the Madras Presidency. She lived in Kadachanendhal and was an active participant in the Indian National Movement.Contributions to the freedom struggle
In 1939, she led a protest advocating for the entry of Scheduled Caste individuals into the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.During the Quit India Movement, on October 2, 1942, Sornathammal, along with Lakshmi Bai Ammal, organized a women's march in Madurai. The march featured the slogan “Vellaiyane Veliyeru”. The participants were arrested and assaulted by the police. When the women refused to sign an apology letter agreeing to abstain from future protests, they were stripped and abandoned near Alagarkoil during the night. Despite this incident, Sornathammal continued her participation in nationalist activities.
Later in 1942, she participated in Individual Satyagraha and was imprisoned for three months. During her imprisonment, she engaged in spinning khadi, reflecting her commitment to Gandhian principles of self-reliance and nonviolent resistance.