C T Online Desk: Speakers at a discussion in the city recalled that on June 15, 1933, a British special tribunal sentenced Surya Sen to death under Sections 121 and 121(A) of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the Chittagong Armoury Raid case.
His close associate Tarakeswar Dastidar was also executed under the same charges, while revolutionary Kalpana Datta was sentenced to life imprisonment.
They also linked the anti-colonial revolutionary movement to Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971 noting that the spirit of resistance inspired by the revolutionaries ultimately shaping the armed struggle that led to the emergence of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
The observations were made at the 93rd martyrdom anniversary of legendary anti-British revolutionaries Masterda Surya Sen and Tarakeswar Dastidar where BASAD leader Al Kaderi Joy attended as Chief Guest.
Engr. Sinchan Bhowmik, General Secretary of Tarakeswar Dastidar Memorial Council chaired the event.
The programme began at 9:00am with members of the Tarakeswar Dastidar Memorial Council placing wreaths at the bust of Surya Sen.
Veteran leftist leaders, freedom fighters, journalists, teachers, labour leaders, cultural activists and women’s rights organisers spoke highlighting the historical significance of the revolutionary movement led by Surya Sen.
They also urged the government to declare and observe nationally important dates such as the Santal Rebellion, Fakir-Sannyasi Movement, Sepoy Mutiny, Titu Mir’s Bamboo Fort resistance, Youth Uprising Day, the martyrdom day of Surya Sen and Tarakeswar Dastidar, and the self-sacrifice day of revolutionary heroine Pritilata Waddedar.
As long as people committed to struggle exist, Surya Sen and Tarakeswar Dastidar will remain enduring sources of inspiration’ the speakers concluded .
