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Sukumar Sengupta

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Sukumar Sengupta
সুকুমার সেনগুপ্ত
Born5 November 1913
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, British India
Died16 September 1993 (aged 79)
Kolkata, Independent India
Alma materMidnapore College
Known forparticaption in Indian independence movement
Parents
  • Charuchandra Sengupta (father)
  • Bibhamani Sengupta (mother)

Sukumar Sengupta (5 November 1913 – 16 September 1993) was an Indian revolutionary from Midnapore, West Bengal. While studying Intermediate Science at Midnapore College, he was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Magistrate Burge murder case and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was deported to the Cellular Jail, where he participated in the 1937 hunger strike, which lasted 37 days. Later repatriated to Alipore Jail, he again undertook a 36-day hunger strike in 1939. Sengupta spent 13 years in prison under British rule, enduring severe hardships. He was finally released on 31 August 1946, a few months before India gained independence.[1][2]

Early life & education

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Sukumar Sengupta was born on 5 November 1913 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at his maternal uncle's residence. His ancestral home was in Katwa, Bardhaman district, West Bengal. His father, Charuchandra Sengupta, was employed at the Agricultural Research Institute in Pusa, Bihar, and his mother was Bibhamani Sengupta. He received his early education in Bihar and passed the matriculation examination there. He later moved to Midnapore to pursue Intermediate Science studies at Midnapore College.[3][4]

Revolutionary Activities and Imprisonment

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While studying in Midnapore, Sengupta became involved in the anti-colonial revolutionary movement especially with the Bengal Volunteers group. In 1934, he was arrested in connection with the assassination of British Magistrate Bernard E.J. Burge, a case linked to Midnapore group of Bengal Volunteers revolutionary activities in Bengal. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequently deported to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands.[5][6][7]

During his incarceration, Sengupta participated in a 37-day hunger strike in 1937 demanding the status of political prisoners and improved prison conditions. In January 1938, he was repatriated to Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata along with other revolutionaries including Ganesh Ghosh and Ananta Singh.[8]

In 1939, he joined a second hunger strike, lasting 36 days, demanding the release of political prisoners. As World War II began, he was transferred to Dhaka Central Jail. After spending nearly 13 years in prison, he was released on 31 August 1946.[9][10]

Political Career and Party Work

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Upon release, Sengupta became active in the Communist Party of India (CPI), which was still functioning as a banned organization at the time. He visited party offices in Dhaka, Deckers Lane in Kolkata, and Goabagan Lane, before returning to Midnapore under party instructions to work as a full-time political organizer.[11]

The first CPI district conference in Midnapore was held on 7–8 February 1943, with only 45 participants. Sengupta was elected to the district committee at the second conference held in April 1947, which had 504 members. In 1948, he became district secretary of the party.[12][13][14]

Following the banning of the CPI in 1948, Sengupta was repeatedly arrested and imprisoned for his political activities. Between 1948 and 1951, he spent much of his tenure as district secretary in jail, including six months in Dum Dum Jail and two years in Buxar detention Camp. Over his lifetime, Sengupta spent a total of 19 years and 9 months in prison.[15][16][17][18]

From left: Comrade Sukumar Sengupta.

Role in the Communist Party

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During the ideological schism within the CPI, Sengupta aligned with the Marxist–Leninist faction. Following the walkout of 32 members from the CPI National Council in 1964, he played a significant role in reorganizing the party in the Midnapore district.

On 6–7 June 1964, at a convention in Garbeta, the Midnapore District Coordination Committee of the CPI(M) was formed with 25 members, and Sengupta was elected as its secretary, in the presence of Promode Dasgupta. Though he attended the Tenali Convention in July 1964, he was arrested before the Seventh Party Congress at Tyagaraj Hall and could not participate.[19]

After the formal establishment of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], Sengupta continued to serve as district secretary and was later elected to the state committee of the party. He remained in the state committee until his death, even after stepping down as district secretary in 1992. He also served as president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Midnapore district committee and was a member of its state working committee.[20][21]

Later years

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Sengupta was the president of the pension committee for freedom fighters in West Bengal and was active in commemorative efforts such as the 50th anniversary of the Quit India Movement. He passed away on 16 September 1993 at the CPI(M) state centre in Kolkata.[22][23]

His name is inscribed on the 18th plaque (1932–1938) of the Cellular Jail, where he is listed as prisoner number 319. His photograph is also preserved in the museum section of the jail.[24][25]

Legacy

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Sukumar Sengupta is remembered for his enduring commitment to revolutionary and Marxist ideals, his organisational leadership within the Communist movement, and his role in shaping the party structure in post-independence India. His long period of imprisonment and participation in historic hunger strikes made him a symbol of political perseverance in Bengal's leftist circles.[26][27][28]

In recognition of his contributions, a college named Sukumar Sengupta Mahavidyalaya was established in Keshpur, located in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. The institution serves as a tribute to his dedication to education, political awareness, and social service.[29]

His name is also inscribed on the 18th plaque (1932–1938) of the Cellular Jail, where he is listed as prisoner number 319. His photograph is preserved in the museum section of the historic site.[30][31]

Bibliography

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  • Hemendranath Dasgupta, Bharater Biplab Kahini, II & III, Calcutta, 1948;
  • Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, History of the Freedom Movement in India, III, Calcutta 1963;
  • History of Midnapore by Narendranath Das
  • Abishmaraniya by Ganganarayan Chandra

References

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  1. ^ https://amritkaal.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?1300
  2. ^ https://archive.org/details/revealing-facts-about-indias-freedom-stru-rajnikant-puranik
  3. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.457951
  4. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.353031/page/n48/mode/thumb
  5. ^ https://archive.org/details/IchapurBartaEditedByBiplabGhosh
  6. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.457812
  7. ^ Ray, Bhupendrakishore Rakshit (1960). Bharate Shashastra Biplab.
  8. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.298601
  9. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.301873
  10. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.302528
  11. ^ https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.2942
  12. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.457664
  13. ^ https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13360
  14. ^ https://archive.org/details/rebelswivessaint0000sark
  15. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.357793
  16. ^ Majumdar, Satyendranarayan (1971). Aamar Biplab-jigyasa Parbo.1(1927-1985).
  17. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.145725
  18. ^ https://archive.org/details/bombinbengalrise0000heeh
  19. ^ Kanungo, Hemchandra (1929). Banglay Biplab Prachesta Ed. 1st (in other). NA.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  20. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.336470/page/n9/mode/2up
  21. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.509340
  22. ^ https://archive.org/details/rememberingourle0000unse
  23. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.354849
  24. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.336379
  25. ^ Dasgupta, Sri Hemendranath (1946). Bharater Biplab Kahini Vol. 1.
  26. ^ https://archive.org/details/rememberingourle0000unse
  27. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267214
  28. ^ https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.4185
  29. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267045
  30. ^ https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.336379
  31. ^ Dasgupta, Sri Hemendranath (1946). Bharater Biplab Kahini Vol. 1.

[1]

  1. ^ https://amritkaal.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?1300
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