Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das

LS Speaker Om Birla Pays Tribute to Freedom Fighter Chittaranjan Das on His Birth Anniversary

About Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das

• Birth: Chittaranjan Das was born on November 5, 1870, in Calcutta (now Kolkata) into the Bengali Baidya family.
• Education: He attended the London Missionary Society’s Institution in Bhawanipur, graduating from Presidency College, Calcutta, in 1890.
• Law Studies: Das studied law at the Middle Temple in England, becoming a barrister in 1894.

Role in the Independence Movement and Contributions

• Prominent Leader: Known as ‘Deshbandhu’ (Friend of the Nation), Das played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle.
• Mentorship: He was a mentor to leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose.
• He was part of a non-official committee, along with Mahatma Gandhi and Motilal Nehru, investigating the Jallianwala Bagh massacre
• Congress Leadership: He actively supported Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement and served as President of the Indian National Congress in 1922.
• Founding of Swaraj Party: Disagreeing with Congress’s stance on council entry, he founded the Swaraj Party in 1923 with Motilal Nehru to push for self-governance.
• Alipore Bomb Case (1909): He successfully defended Aurobindo Ghosh in the Alipore Bomb Case of 1909, showcasing his legal acumen and commitment to the nationalist cause.
• Chittaranjan Das was also the defence counsel in the Dacca Conspiracy Case (1910-11). 
• Bengal Pact (1923): Das initiated the Bengal Pact to address economic imbalances and promote unity between Hindu and Muslim communities by proposing proportional representation in legislative bodies and government jobs.

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Literary Contributions of Chittaranjan Das

• Poetry: He was an acclaimed Bengali poet, with works like Malancha, Mala, and Sagar Sangeet reflecting his passion for Bengali culture and literary talent.
  • Sagar-Sangit (The Songs of the Sea): Published in 1913, this collection of poems showcased his early poetic talent.
  • Antaryami (The All-perceiver): Released in 1914, this work delved into philosophical and spiritual themes.
  • Kishor-Kishori (The Youth): Published in 1915, this collection explored the aspirations and challenges of youth.
• Literary Journal Narayan: He founded and edited this high-quality literary journal for five years, providing a platform for emerging writers and showcasing his own poetic works.
• Vaishnava Influence: His poetry often drew inspiration from the rich tradition of Vaishnava literature, reflecting the deep spiritual and philosophical influences on his work.
• Social Commentary: Some of his poems addressed contemporary social and political issues, reflecting his commitment to social justice and national liberation.

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