Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Even today, the place of this fiery man is above all in Bengali mind. Durga Puja, the best festival of Bengal, has a unique history, which has become a myth today. Which is deeply rooted in Bengali religious and cultural consciousness.
It was 1925. Subhash was then incarcerated in Mandalay Prison in Myanmar (then called Burma). He was arrested last year. However, he was sent to that jail at the beginning of 1925. That year he started Durga Puja in prison. It is the month of October. Netaji along with other royal prisoners planned Durga Puja. He was 28 years old then. It was the time when the perfect young Subhash matured. The British government said they will not pay the cost of Puja! But Subhash and others started fasting. At last, however, the Sahibs agreed to give up. As Subhash kept the British down all his life, he was no exception in this case too.
It was 1925. Subhash was then incarcerated in Mandalay Prison in Myanmar (then called Burma). He was arrested last year. That year he started Durga Puja in prison.
We find mention of this puja in a work named 'Smriti-Bismriti' written by Rakhal Venu. Harinarayan Chattopadhyay, the famous writer of that time, was present in that jail with his father during Durga Puja as a child. Talking about the experience, he said, “I don't remember if there was a priest. A vivacious young man with a golden complexion, gentle face continues chanting. Sometimes Anjali throws yolks at the feet of the goddess. We stood back. There is little sound anywhere. Even the servants are standing on one side with fertilizer. Super Baba said softly in Baba's ear, “The one who recites the mantra is Subhash Chandra Bose.” Later, Subhash fell seriously ill in this prison. He contracted tuberculosis. However, within that illness, he passed through a unique phase of his life.
A vivacious young man with a golden complexion, gentle face continues chanting. Sometimes Anjali throws yolks at the feet of the goddess.
A decade and a half later. That was in 1940. At that time, Subhash was imprisoned in the Presidency Jail. He also organized puja with the rest of the prisoners there. The puja became a symbol of unity and solidarity leaving the British uncomfortable. In a subjugated country, everyone wanted to destroy the nationalist spirit by organizing puja in prisons. That history still inspires us today. Even after a long time it has remained a unique narrative.