Rajanikanta Pramanik and Pre-Independence Bengal Provincial Politics (1942-1947) - A critical Analysis

Abstract

India achieved independence at midnight on Friday, 15th August 1947. On that day, British colonial rule transferred power into the hands of the Indian people. In April 1930, the Salt Satyagraha movement was taken place by Rajanikanta Pramanik (01.02.1898 - 24.11.1968) on Kalai Telipukur Maidan (ground). To preserve that historic memory, and in honor of this village’s illustrious maidan direct disciple of Sri Sri Ma Sarada, an unmarried, resolute, action-oriented and heroic worker, ascetic in temperament, founder of Tamluk Ramakrishna Math Mission and Sevashram, dedicated to service and education, builder of numerous institutions, often called the “Little Vidyasagar of Medinipur” we gather in reverence. Rajanikanta Pramanik (1898 - 1968) was a renowned freedom fighter who spent much of his life in prison. A devotee of non-violence inspired by Gandhian ideals, a distinguished lawyer, a promoter of Hindu–Muslim harmony, a practitioner of ashram life and high political ethics, one of the chief organizers and directors of the National Congress in Medinipur, and one of the architects and commanders of the Tamralipta National Government. An able administrator, he was elected a member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1946 (in pre-independent India). In independent India, he served as a Parliamentary Secretary in West Bengal (1946–1967, undefeated). In 1952, he became Deputy Minister for Flood-Relief and Food Supply in the cabinet of Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was elected President of the Bangiya Sahitya Sammelan and was a distinguished social worker, embodying countless milestones of devoted service. Yet a truly inquisitive and comprehensive history of this personality has not been written.