This article examines the new phase of the revolutionary movement in Bengal, highlighting women's involvement, the shift to group action, changes in ideological approach, and the movement's limitations.
Aspects of the New Phase of Revolutionary Movement in Bengal: Evolution and Ideological Shifts
Participation of Women in Revolutionary Activities
There was significant participation of young women in the revolutionary activities under Surya Sen. They provided crucial support by sheltering revolutionaries, carrying messages, and actively engaging in armed resistance.
Prominent women revolutionaries included:
Pritilata Waddedar, who died during a raid.
Kalpana Dutt, who was arrested and given a life sentence alongside Surya Sen.
Santi Ghosh and Suniti Chandheri, schoolgirls who assassinated the district magistrate in December 1931.
Bina Das, who attempted to assassinate the governor during her convocation in February 1932.
Emphasis on Group Action
The new phase of revolutionary movement emphasized group action over individual heroics, targeting the colonial state's organs to set an example and demoralize the bureaucracy.
This strategy was aimed at demonstrating the power of collective action and weakening the colonial administration.
Changes in Ideological Approach
The movement shed earlier tendencies towards Hindu religiosity, removing rituals like oath-taking which had previously limited participation to Hindus.
This change facilitated the inclusion of Muslims in the revolutionary groups, such as Satar, Mir Ahmed, Fakir Ahmed Mian, and Tunu Mian, who were part of Surya Sen's group.
Drawbacks of the Revolutionary Movement
Despite its advances, the movement retained some conservative elements.
It did not develop broader socio-economic goals, limiting its appeal and impact.
The alignment with Swarajists led to a failure to support the Muslim peasantry against zamindars in Bengal, which was a missed opportunity for broader social reform.
Official Reaction to Revolutionary Activities
Initially, the government reacted with panic and then with severe repression. They enacted 20 repressive Acts and unleashed police brutality on the revolutionaries.
In Chittagong, several villages were burned, and punitive fines were imposed on many others.
In 1933, Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested for sedition and sentenced to two years in prison for condemning imperialism and praising the revolutionaries.
Ideological Rethinking in the Revolutionary Movement
Bhagat Singh and his comrades made significant strides in revolutionary ideology, moving from individual heroic actions to mass politics and Marxism.
The HRA's manifesto (1925) and Revolutionary organ proposed nationalisation of key industries and advocated for an organized and armed revolution.
By the late 1920s, the revolutionaries began advocating for a broad-based movement involving the masses rather than focusing solely on violent individual actions.
Bismil urged the youth to abandon violent conspiracies in favor of open political movements, supporting Hindu-Muslim unity and the Congress.
Bhagat Singh's shift towards Marxism involved promoting mass movements and establishing organizations like the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha and Lahore Students’ Union for political work among youth, peasants, and workers.
Bhagat Singh's famous book, "The Philosophy of the Bomb," encapsulated his revised revolutionary position and highlighted his belief in a popular, broad-based movement.
Redefining Revolution
Revolution was redefined as a means for national liberation, aiming to overthrow imperialism and establish a new socialist order, ending exploitation.
Bhagat Singh rejected violence and personal vendetta, advocating instead for systemic change to address injustice and class exploitation.
He embraced Marxism, emphasizing that the struggle was not only against colonial rule but also against domestic capitalist and feudal exploitation.
Bhagat Singh promoted secularism and tolerance, advocating for freedom from religious and superstitious constraints, and emphasized the need for critical thinking and moral strength among revolutionaries.
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