Desher Bondhu- Our Nation's Own Friend

The Indian liberation movement witnessed many brave hearts who left no stone unturned to protect our motherland. People from the then fragmented Indian subcontinent united to gift a fee nation to future generations. Commemorating their lives is one of the ways for us to immortalise their invaluable contribution.

A revolutionary freedom fighter; Image Source- Wikimedia

How far would one go to stand by their choice? How further could one go to stand on their decision no matter what destiny throws at them? Imagine people calling you bonkers for rejecting a well-paid job and donating every single penny you own to support the cause of independence. Yes, Chittaranjan Das was brave enough to pull that stunt. At the peak of his legal career, he decided to give up all his property and earnings to the nation. While his pocket suffered the burn of his decisions, the people of India honoured him as Deshbandhu or 'friend of the nation'.

But wait, you all might be wondering what led Das to take such a bold step? Let me take you back in time and walk you through the life journey of this faithful satrap of our nation.

Born into a Bengali household in 1870, Chittaranjan Das hailed from a liberal family who believed and supported the cause of Brahmo Samaj. Das also came from a family of lawyers and hence, followed in their footsteps. Unfortunately for him, he could not clear the ICS exam. Not giving up on law altogether, Das started everything from zero. His patience and perseverance paid off when he was called to the Bar in 1892 in England.

England brought him closer to the other Indian revolutionaries striving hard to liberate India. Das joined hands with them and supported the campaign of Dadabhai Naoroji, who then became the first Indian to be elected in the British Parliament.

After his brief stint in England, Das returned to India for good. With a steady flow of lucrative law practice, Das was set for life. After renouncing his wealth in 1894, Das became an all-time politician and freedom fighter. He used his sharp wit and skills to help the verdict of many revolutionaries from the British jaws.

The British were angry at these rebels who consistently waged war to demean the British paramountcy and were determined to lock them up to teach them a prominent lesson. Then came our knight in legal armour, Chittaranjan Das, to save the day.

The landmark defence of Aurobindo Ghose in the Alipore Bomb Case of 1909 made Das the legal luminary of our nation.

Das became the torch-bearer of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-22) in Bengal and promoted the use of Khadi. His wife, Basanti Devi, was just as much passionate about the liberation movement. Known as the matriarch of the Bengali freedom fighters, Basanti Devi helped Das in every step of this long battle. Not only this, but the couple had a heavy influence on the next generation of rebels.

The most famous follower of the couple would be Subhash Chandra Bose. The fact that he regarded Basanti Devi as Ma speaks volumes of their relation.

Das was also an active member of the Indian National Congress during his brief yet bold political career. Gandhi's sudden decision to halt the Non-Cooperation Movement upset Das to no ends. In the Gaya session of Congress in 1922, Das therefore resigned and founded the Swaraj Party along with Motilal Nehru. The party then carried on with their revolutionary practices.

Apart from being a die-hard patriot, Das was also a prolific writer. He went as far as dedicating his writings to the nation. Malancha and Mala are a collection of poems written by him that sing the struggle of our nation while weaving dreams of a free India.

A devoted fighter, lawyer and practitioner, Chittaranjan Das will always be the gem of India. For all those of you who might be wondering about his legacy can visit Chittaranjan Das Park in Delhi. The busy lanes of C.R. Park buss with a throng of people allured by the wafting aroma of delightful Bengali cuisine coupled with reverberating laughs and smiley faces, just the way Das would have imagined a free India!