Unsung Teacher Hero of Our Independence

A tryst with destiny was achieved on 15th of August, 1947. This was true to the sense of essence of freedom struggle achieved due to the sacrifice of so many heros……Most of them forgotten or have the honour to mention only! The total light of the history of freedom struggle was focussed on the Congress party and its chosen leaders who were obedient to Gandhiji. An idea of our independence struggle was given by the concerted begging for independence to the British government under the leadership of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
There are the revolutionists and freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the independence of their motherland but were forgotten in the ‘doctored’ history of Indian independence. Here, I’ll discuss about some of these forgotten heros of our independence who were basically from our teaching fraternity.
Surya Sen, popularly known as “Mastarda”, born on 22nd March,1884 at Chittagong district, now in Bangladesh. Initially, he was a member of Indian National Congress. Frustrated with the soft and dilly dallying approach of the INC and the futility of so-called non-cooperation movement, he left the party and joined Anushilon Samity – one of the two main revolutionary outfits of the country. Masterda, in fact, was the District President of the INC. Dis-illusioned with the compromising attitude of the leadership, not only he joined the Anushilon Samity after quitting the INC, he single handedly induced fresh bloods into the organization. He was an outstanding organizer, an unpretentious, soft spoken, brilliant personality. Soon he made the Anushilon Samity of Chittagong district, a strong unit of revolutionary outfit. Masterda was the first President of Anushilon Samity of Chittagong. Actually, none of his recruits have ever betrayed to the cause. His eyes could identify the quality in the young generation.
Masterda Surya Sen, the son of a teacher, graduated from Berhampore college (now Krishnath college) of Murshidabad district of West Bengal in 1916. Then, he started teaching at the National School of Chittagong. His teaching ability impressed the students and his disciples alike. He was popularly addressed as Masterda with respect and dignity. His brilliant organizing power made him the undisputed leader of Anushilon Samity of Chittagong. Uder his able and versatile leadership, the revolutionary activity of Bengal in general and Chittagong in particular, got tremendous impetus. Surya Sen was inspired by Sarat Chandra Bose and Arabindo Ghosh.
Masterda was first arrested for his anti-British activities in 1926 and joined for two years. After his release from jail, he embarked upon the harder mission of Chittagong Armoury Raid. In an immaculate planning, on 18th April, 1930, Surya Sen with his revolutionary group, in the name of Indian Republic Army, embarked on the mission of Chittagong’s two armary raids to show that the Bengalis are able to show the might of the revolutionaries to the British empire. One group of six, led by Ganesh Ghosh, a disciple of Surya Sen, took out the Chittagong Police Armoury. Ten other members in anorher group, led by Lokenath Paul, a close associate of Surya Sen, captured the Auxiliary Force Armoury with army rifles and Lewis guns. They also cut off the telephone and telegraph lines and broke down the railway lines between the Chittagong city and the rest of Bengal. Surya Sen’s plan was to capture the two armouries and then the captured guns and ammunitions would be distributed to the revolutionaries. Unfortunately they could not find the ammunitions and consequently theur valiant efforts went in vain.
In the name of Indian Republican Army, Chittagong Branch, Masterda Surya Sen being the leader of the group, took military salute from the other revolutionaries gathered there, altogether sixtyfive in number. They started their operation by shouting “Bande Mataram” and proclaimed the Provisional Revolutionary Government there.
With no hope of winning against massive might of British army, Surya Sen showed his skills in guerrilla warfare and retreated to Jallalabad hill. In the brutal standoff, 12 revolutionaries including Lokenath Paul entered martyrdom and 80 British soldiers were killed. Surya Sen in sudden guerrilla raids surprised the British Force for a ling time.
Though the Armoury raids were fizzled out and many of the revolutionaries lost their lives, Surya Sen escaped from the British clout to reach Calcutta. Hiding out at many places around Calcutta, he was finally caught by British police due to the betrayal of his relative Netra Sen on 16th February,1933.
After his capture, British Government tortured Surya Sen to such an extent that the civilized world could not dream of. Eventually, semi-dead body if Surya Sen was hanged in Chittagong jail on 12th January, 1934. Surya Sen’s last letter to his fellow revolutionaries and disciples, “Death is knocking at my door. My mind is flying away towards eternity. Only one thing, that is my dream, a golden dream – the dream of free India……..Never forget, 18th of April,1930, the day of the eastern rebellion in Chittagomg……..Write in red letters in the care of young hearts the names of the patriots who have sacrificed their lives at the alter of India’s freedom”.
Surya Sen was the first revolutionary leader who permitted the entry of lady members in the revolutionary outfit Anushilon Samity. Two ladies, Kalpana Dutta and Pritilata Waddedar were his recruits. Of the two ladies, Pritilata, a brilliant student, was a school teacher. Her nick nane was Rani. She was born on 5th May, 1911 at Chittagong to parents Jagabandhu Waddedar and Prativa Devi. She was the second child among six children of her parents. Pritilata passed her Matriculation examination from Dr. Khastagir Government Girl’s Shool of Chittagong. Then she passed her Intermediate examination from Eden College, Dhaka. Afterwards, she passed graduation with distinction in Philosophy from Bethun College under Calcutta University. Astonishingly, her University Certificate was withheld by the chicken hearted British administration followed by the Independent government of India too! Only in the year 2012, Pritilata’s degree certificate along with the degree certificate of another unsung freedom fighter Bina Das, were handed over posthumously to their respective relatives. The government of India cannot deny their criminal neglect to these freedom fighters. After graduation, Pritilata went back to her native place Chittagong and became headmistress of an english medium school, Nandankanan Aparnacharan School.
Pritilata got inspiration from the revolutionary Ramkrishna Biswas. Ramkrishna Biswas was hanged by British for the killing of Chandpur SP and one inspector Tarini Mukherjee. Pahartali European Club of Chittagong had a signboard written, ” Dogs and Indians not allowed”. Surya Sen thought to teach these arrogant British people a fitting lesson and decided to attack this club. Pritilata was asigned to lead a team of male revolutionaries. Dressed like a Punjabi male, Pritilata attacked the club at 10-45 PM on 24th September, 1932. In the attack, one woman died and four men and seven wonen were injured. Pritilata was cornered in the courtyard of the club by the police and without giving them chance to arrest her, she committed suicide by consuming potassium cyanide. “A beacon of light for women” Pritilata cherished two wishes, independence of her country, that is India; and a society without gender discrimination. She was the first Bengali lady martyr in the independence struggle.