Mallikarjun Kharge remembers

India Gazette

16-06-2025

New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday remembered former Congress President Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das on his 100th death anniversary.
In a post on social media X, Kharge wrote that Das, an accomplished poet, was instrumental in the Non-Cooperation movement against colonial rule.
'We remember the enduring legacy of Former Congress President, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, a distinguished lawyer and an accomplished poet. He was instrumental in the Non-Cooperation Movement against colonial rule,' the post read.
He further stated that Das was a mentor to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and firmly believed in non-violent and constitutional methods to achieve the country's independence.
'A mentor to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, he firmly believed in non-violent and constitutional methods to achieve India's independence.
He was also a strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity, communal harmony, and stridently championed national education and the promotion of Khadi,' the post said.
Hailing from an upper-middle-class family of the Dacca district, Das graduated from the Presidency College in Calcutta.
He took an active role in the field of social reform and women's education. Against caste discrimination and untouchability, Das was a strong believer in women's emancipation and widow remarriage.
Before the beginning of his political career, Das played a significant role in providing legal assistance to those charged with sedition.
His political career was influenced by Bankim Chandra Das, who partly influenced his political ideas. In 1917, he came to the forefront of nationalist politics and was invited to preside over the Bengal Provincial Conference. In eight years of his political career, Das rose to fame due to his love for patriotism and sincerity.
To Das, Swaraj was the government by the people and for the people. His primary concern was the proper education of the masses to enable them to participate in the nationalist movement.
The turning point in Das's career was when he was called upon to appear on behalf of Aurobindo Ghose in the Alipore Bomb case. The brilliant handling of the case helped Bose get acquitted, which in turn led Das to come to the forefront professionally and politically.
The founder of the Swaraj Party, Das was elected as the Mayor of Calcutta in 1924. He is remembered to have brought in greater efficiency to the administration and implementation of welfare projects. (ANI)