The date of August 16 is recorded in the history of India as a black chapter, in the year 1946, Calcutta (now Kolkata) was burnt in the fierce communal riots that lasted for four days and more than ten thousand people lost their lives. Communal riots and murders in the history of Kolkata started the incident which historian Suranjan Das has called Bengal’s ‘Partition Riots’.
‘Action Day’ of Muslim League
We should remember that Bengal had become a witness to partition in 1905 itself. The Calcutta riots of 16 August 1946 began with the call of ‘Direct Action Day’ by the All India Muslim League, which aims to emphasize the demand of separate Muslim motherland after the British left India.
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Bengal, besides being a large Muslim population, according to historians, there was also a place where ‘the first expression of political consciousness’ was seen. The All India Muslim League was born in Dhaka itself to protect the interests of Muslims of the subcontinent ‘.
Violence between Hindu-Muslims
Seeing this date, a nationwide communal riots turned into a large scale violence between Muslims and Hindus in Calcutta. The city came under the grip of a radical mob, which created a lot of uproar, committed murders and caused havoc in the entire city.
It is said that the then Chief Minister of Bengal, Hussain Shahid Suharrandi, assured the crowd that ‘if they decide to start their activities in the city, no action will be taken against armed Muslims’.
Gopal Mukherjee’s entry amid violence
DN Panigrahi, author of ‘India’s Partition: The Story of Imperialism in Retreat’, has also mentioned the inactivity of the police and army in the early days of the 1946 Great Calcutta murder case. It is said that the army was called for fear that European people should not be attacked.
Amidst this anarchy, Gopal Chandra Mukherjee emerged, which is known as Gopal Patha. He is considered both hero and villain.
Mukherjee became helpful for homeless
Gopal Mukherjee, a leader of a gang in Calcutta, played an important role in resistance against Muslim mob violence. It is said that his efforts saved many Hindus from death and insult, due to which they got the status of a great man.
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From August 18, Gopal Mukherjee led Hindu resistance and organized Hindu youths to resist the invasion. He supported the homeless and widows. It is said that thousands of Hindus were saved from their works.
Muslim league surrender forced
In Kolkata, Muslims had to face the biggest threat to violence and it is said that they left the city in large numbers and fled. Gopal Mukherjee and his gang, among others, also targeted those who attacked Hindus.
By August 20, it became clear that the dream of the Muslim League to make Bengal including Calcutta a part of Pakistan would not come true. Realizing the strength of Hindu resistance, the Muslim League appealed to Gopal Mukherjee to stop the murders. He agreed on the condition that the Muslim League should first ask its members to lay down arms and promise to stop the killings of Hindus.
Bengal stopped from going to Pakistan
Gopal Mukherjee was one of the reasons that saved Calcutta from entering Pakistani hands. It is said that he refused to insert arms in front of Mahatma Gandhi, who asked Hindus to lay down arms after months of riots.
The Calcutta massacre was a tragic event in the history of India, but it also highlighted the role of individuals like Gopal Mukherjee, which is remembered for both his valor and infamy today. He remains a disputed person among historians.
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