Matangini Hazra & Kanaklata Barua

Why is in news? President Murmu pays tribute to Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Barua: Who were these freedom fighters

Matangini Hazra:

She was born in 1869 in Hogla village, West Bengal, Matangini Hazra’s early life was marked by poverty and lack of formal education. She married at a young age and was widowed by 18.

She was devoted to social causes, she emerged as a dedicated freedom fighter.

During the Nationalist movement, Hazra’s admiration for Mahatma Gandhi earned her the nickname “Gandhiburi” in her village.

She actively participated in protests, earning her several arrests and jail sentences.

A prominent leader during the Quit India Movement of 1942, Hazra led a procession of around 6,000 protesters, mostly women, towards the Tamluk police station.

She was shot three times by British police during a confrontation, and she passed away at the age of 73 while chanting “Vande Mataram.”

Matangini Hazra’s sacrifice inspired revolutionaries to establish local governments. In 1977, the first statue of a woman revolutionary in Kolkata Maidan was dedicated to her.

Schools, streets, and neighborhoods across Bengal are named after her as a tribute to her immense contribution to the freedom struggle.

Kanaklata Barua:

Kanaklata Barua, a symbol of courage, was just 17 years old when she became a martyr.

She led the Mrityu Bahini procession to unfurl the Tricolour at Gohpur police station in Assam during the Quit India Movement.

Despite the age limit for joining the Mrityu Bahini being 18 and above, Barua’s determination led her to be an exception. Just two days into joining, she was at the head of the procession, holding the Tricolour.

In a confrontation with the police at the police station, Barua refused to let go of the flag, even as bullets rained down.

She fell, holding onto the flag until another volunteer took it from her. Her bravery and sacrifice left an indelible mark on the movement.

Kanaklata Barua’s story continues to inspire generations. In her honour, the Coast Guard named a Fast Patrol Vessel “ICGS Kanaklata Barua” in 2020, ensuring that her legacy lives on as a testament to her remarkable spirit and dedication to India’s freedom.