In 1914, the British declaration of war against the Ottoman Empire had a large effect on the Indian Muslim community.

He was detained at Ahmednagar Fort jail along with Jawaharlal Nehru and other members of the Congress Working Committee.

[5] In 1945, Ali came to be the convener of the INA defence team established by the Congress for the defense of the officers of the Indian National Army charged with treason later in November 1945.

She is widely remembered for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement, 1942.

Later Aruna Asaf Ali was honored with India's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, for her work.