Amrita Bazar Patrika’s “Poll” created Bengali Hindu Homeland in 1947
There have been lots of
speculations of the anguished Bengali Hindus during 1946-47, especially their
agonies under the monstrous rule of then Muslim League, leading to the partition
of (then) Undivided Bengal on religious ground, thus far. Nevertheless, in all
these the role of Amrita Bazar Patrika, nationalist newspaper of international
repute, has been snubbed outright.
It’s the time to recollect and
pay glaring tribute to the newspaper (now defunct) and its vigorous role to
save Bengali Hindus in the dark days of partition of the Indian subcontinent.
Once the British government annunciated
its Proposal of Partition, Amrita Bazar Patrika carried out a “Poll” extensively to seek readers’ views regarding
the British proposal. Its issue dated March 23, 1947, asked readers clearly, “Do
you want a separate homeland for Bengali Hindus?” The same question was
witnessed to be repeated its following issues unhesitatingly till April 15,
1947. However, there was a break for two to three days in between.
Result of the “Poll” conducted was
declared in the Patrika dated April 23, 1947. In accordance with the newspaper,
5, 34, 249 answers were received in this regard – with results: YES – 98.3%; NO
– 0.6%; REJECTED – 1.1%. Even Surendra
Mohan Ghosh, then president of Bengal Provincial Congress Committee, certified the
public opinion poll as “regular and valid.”
Patrika also stated that Messrs
Gupta and Mitra, well-known firm of Chartered Accountants, had also endorsed
the “Poll” as “substantially accurate.”
The
“Poll” played a considerable role to form the Bengali Hindu homeland of West Bengal
in 1947 and smash the devilish maneuver of Islamists to create United Bengal to
contain and racially exterminate Bengali Hindus.
Comments