Midnapore rises to defend its revolutionary legacy
The Statesman | 23 July 2025
Defying steady rains, a spirited gathering of residents, academicians, lawyers, and civic leaders convened near the historic Midnapore Collegiate School on Sunday, rallying under umbrellas and tarpaulins not just to escape the downpour—but to defend the dignity of their town’s heroic past.
The protest, organised by the Lawyers’ Forum of Midnapore Judges Court, erupted in response to a contentious question in a Vidyasagar University history honours examination paper that referred to freedom fighters as “terrorists.”
The offending question, which asked students to “name the three district magistrates killed by terrorists in the 1930s,” has not only sparked academic outrage but also bruised the collective pride of Midnapore’s people, who hold the sacrifices of their revolutionaries as sacred chapters of India’s anti-colonial struggle.
“This is not a mere academic lapse—it’s an insult to the sacrifices of countless martyrs from Midnapore whose blood paved the path to India’s independence,” thundered Somen Khan, chairman of Midnapore Municipality, addressing the crowd. He, alongside former Midnapore College political science professor Jagabandhu Adhikari, lambasted the university’s board of moderators and the question paper setter, holding them responsible for the gross misrepresentation of history.
Speakers across the spectrum expressed deep anguish, asserting that while colonial rulers might have branded the revolutionaries as ‘terrorists,’ independent India must never echo such terminology. “This is a disgrace. We have informed the chief minister and the higher education minister of West Bengal. If necessary, we will seek legal recourse against the university authorities,” said Mr Adhikari.
The convention was marked by fervent calls to officially recognise Midnapore’s unparalleled contribution to the freedom struggle, especially its unique history of political assassinations of British magistrates by young revolutionaries. Midnapore holds the infamous record of losing three district magistrates—Douglas, Burge, and Paddy—between 1931 and 1934, felled by daring revolutionary acts.
Adding a poignant dimension to the discussion, a woman speaker stirred the audience by highlighting the oft-forgotten role of commercial sex workers in aiding the freedom fighters. “These women risked their lives, providing shelter to revolutionaries and serving as conduits for secret information, all under the watchful eyes of colonial police,” she said, demanding their inclusion in historical narratives taught in colleges.
The gathering unanimously resolved to press for the correction of the academic content and to campaign for the inclusion of comprehensive, nuanced accounts of Midnapore’s revolutionary heritage in university curricula.
The controversy comes at a time when historical interpretations are increasingly becoming flashpoints for public discourse. For Midnapore, this is not just about history—it is about reclaiming honour from the shadows of misrepresentation.