C T Online Desk: May 5 marks the birth anniversary of Pritilata Waddedar, a remarkable young woman from Chittagong who played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
Born in Patiya in 1911, Pritilata studied at Dr Khastagir Government Girls’ High School in Chittagong, Eden College in Dhaka and Bethune College in Kolkata. After returning to Chittagong, she took up the job of headmistress at a local English medium secondary school called Nandankanan Aparnacharan School.
Pritilata took part in many raids, including the Jalalabad battle, as part of the revolutionary group of Master Da Surya Sen, before the operation at Pahartali European Club on September 24, 1932. The club was seen as a symbol of British colonialism in Chittagong. It had a signboard that read: “Dogs and Indians not allowed”.
However, the mission was unsuccessful, and Pritilata received a bullet injury at the end. Unwilling to be captured by the police, she swallowed potassium cyanide, which had been in her possession, and died. She was only 21 years old at the time. She was the first woman to sacrifice herself in the anti-British movement and Bengal’s first woman martyr. Her sacrifice inspired many other revolutionaries to take up arms against British colonial rule.
Pritilata was not just a symbol of Indian resistance against British colonialism, but also an advocate for women’s rights. As a woman, she faced several challenges in the male-dominated society of her time. But she did not let these obstacles deter her from fighting for what she believed in. She remains an inspiration for those fighting for justice and freedom.
In one of her letters, Pritilata wrote: “I have a deep desire to sacrifice my life for my motherland, and I feel proud to be able to do so.”
It reflects her deep commitment to the cause of Indian independence and her willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for it.
Another quote by Pritilata that is often cited is: “I do not want to be reborn, even if it is in a palace. I would like to be born in a free country where there is no exploitation and everybody is free.”
This quote shows her deep desire for a just and equal society, free from colonial oppression.
Pritilata’s legacy lives on today, as people continue to be inspired by her courage and sacrifice. She is remembered as a martyr and a hero of India’s struggle for independence.
In the words of Rabindranath Tagore: “Pritilata Waddedar’s sacrifice is not only the sacrifice of one individual but is sacrifice for a nation’s freedom.”
On the occasion of her birth anniversary, people remember Pritilata Waddedar and pay tribute to her bravery and dedication. She was a true revolutionary who fought for the freedom of her country and the rights of women. Her words and actions continue to inspire us to strive for a better world.
Chittagong has a Pritilata Waddedar Road. In 2012, a bronze sculpture of her was erected in front of the school where she taught, adjacent to the erstwhile European Club at Pahartali. Two female dormitories at Chittagong University and Jahangirnagar University have been named after Pritilata.
