Hiralal Dasgupta was born in Barisal. He started his political career as a close associate of Leader Jatindranath Sengupta. H joined all the movements launched by Congress in 1921. He remained in Jail as a state prisoner for 1930-1938. After release he became Secretary of Barisal Congress Committe. He joined in peasants movemntfrom 1940.He remained in Pakistan jail for eight years . The salvation struggle of Bangla Desh was started on 25.3.1971. when he was a prisoner in Pakistani Jail of Patuakhali. The Pakistani Army killed him mercilesssly and kept him in a ditch under earth.
Swadhinata-Sangrame Barishal by Hiralal Dasgupta
Hiralal dasgupta was born in Barishal.
Those who wish to know the history of Revolutionary Movement in Barishal, should read "SWADHINATA SANGRAME BARISHAL", a book by Hiralal Dasgupta in two volumes. This book takes the reader back to pre-independence Barishal, a region famous for its "paddy, rivers and canals". The first volume is divided into four chapters and the second volume is incomplete. The first chapter deals with the History of Chandradwip, the second chapter tells the story of 19th Century Barishal and the rise of revolutionary movement, the third chapter deals with the history of Aswini kumar's Swadesh Bandhab Samiti and Swadeshi, and the fourth is the history of Barishal Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar. The second volume contains the history of Barishal from 1920 to 1947. The author of this book lived in Jadavpur. His address was 45, Central Road. During 1950s, a committee was formed with Dr. Surendra Nath Sengupta as its President, Hiralal Dasgupta as Gen. Secy, and Mahendranath Dutta as Treasurer. The first meeting of the committee was held in 1951. The venue was 45, Central Road, Jadavpur. It was decided that a history of the revolutionary movement in Barishal would be written in details and it would represent the true spirit of Barishal. The responsibility for this difficult task was first given to Sashibhushan Dasgupta, but as he was busy, Hiralal Dasgupta was chosen. In 1965, Hiralal fell ill but continued his efforts till Oct, 1971. The book was finally published in 1972, when author was suffering from serious illness and lost his energy. The 700 pages of the original manuscript was published in the book-form, but 350 pages still remained to be published. In 1972, most of the members of the committee passed away, including the author himself. Seven secretaries out of eight and twelve members out of twenty already left this world when this book was published. All of them were revolutionaries of Barishal and they had first-hand knowledge of the movement. Only the treasurer Mahendranath Dutta was alive and due to his efforts, Sahitya Sansad published this book. Full of many interesting and unknown facts about Barishal, this book is a real treasure. One can view the "BIPLABI ANDOLON" through the eyes of a Biplabi. The Barishal of 1940s was totally different from the Barishal of 1920s. The revolutionary movement was overshadowed by the Congress and Gandhi's promises. However, none of this promises were fulfilled and in August, 1946, the Muslim League called for Direct Action Day. Barishal was covered with blood and the rest is history. Now the inevitable question comes-what led to the downfall of the Hindus in Barishal? Author shows many examples, but one example is most interesting--In those days, Nagendranath Dasgupta ( Shivaji kaviraj ) of khalisakota was the leader of Barishal Hindu Mahasabha. He was successful in attracting a large no of Namasudra population in Mahasabha. He, with the help of Gopal krishna Mukhopadhyay of Anushilan Samiti, personally met Namasudra leader Bhegai Haldar. A Namasudra Sanmelan was organized in Agailjhara village, where Namasudras from Faridpur, khulna etc participated. Pandit Madan Mohan Malavya was chosen President of it. Shyamsundar Chakraborty, and Padamraj Jain from kolkata came to witness it. "Thousands of Namasudras joined it and were accepted as a part of mainstream Hindu society." But the Muslim League was alarmed and finally the League was successful in creating a barries between the Jatiya Movement and the Namasudra movement. The League leaders made them believe that the true friend of the Namasudras were the Muslims, and their interests were the same. Henceforth, the Namasudras considered themselves different from the Hindus and they didn't join the National Movement. Another incidence of importance was Lakhutiya Massacre. The Zamindar of Lakhutiya was an active partner of the Swadeshi "THAKUR COMPANY". During the 1950's riots, the Hindus took refuge in Lakhutiya Rajbari. Then Indira Devi ( daughter of B. M. Chatterjee and wife of British Artillery Commander, Pareshlal Ray ), was present there. She had firearms with her and got assurance from the District Magistrate that Police would protect the Hindus. But Police didn't arrive and the Muslim Magistrate compelled her to leave that place. Indira Devi gave protection to those Hindus for three days, but after her departure, the Muslim mob surrounded that house. They set fire to the Lakhutiya Rajbari. When the Hindus came outside, they were brutally killed one by one. The villages of Magarpara, Sarshi, kalashgram, Hijla etc were attacked by the Muslim mob after this incident. In the words of Biplabi Gopal krishna Mukhopadhyay-" Tara eker por ek dol bedhe Hindu narider dharshan korlo.. Hindur matha diye genduya khela holo. Lakhutiyar aishyarjya o khyatir jabanika patan emni korei sanghatita holo. Grame bati jalate keu roilo na. Parshabarti gramguli chirotore nistabdha hoye gelo. Ei holo Barishal Swadhinata Sangram Mahanataker shesh drishya."
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