Obituary: Prof. Ila Pathak (1933-2014): A Feminist Crusader

Ila Pathak was a dedicated social activist who stood by socially excluded sections of society, especially brutalized women. She tirelessly supported women survivors of dowry harassment, rape victims, crimes of honour (‘fallen†women whose noses were cut as punishment for being ‘adulteress†by their husbands and in-laws) not only in the urban areas but also in the rural and tribal areas. She campaigned against sex selective abortions of female foetuses way back in 1980s.