Female Bengali Freedom Fighters

7/29/2019 Female Bengali Freedom Fighters

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Bangalee Women

This page is dedicated to 450,000 Bangalee women raped and molested by Pakistani

occupation army, the unrecognized heroines of our Liberation War.

...............It is December now. This was the month when 18 years ago, nine months

after the war I, as part of a bunch of kids, did procession in the backyard tying a piece

of cloth, with red on the dark green and yellow map in the red, on a piece of bamboo,

and uttered:Joy Bangla

In Mymensing, from March until November '71, the head Imam of the big Mosque

has dumped many into the well after slaughtering them in his own hand . It was in

December again when the city people brought out countless corps from the well in

order to find their nearest ones. My relatives went out to search for those who left for

the war, or vanished without for good. Pakistani soldiers looted our properties, burnt

our house before they left, took my father away and bashed him with boots and

bayonets, shot two of my uncles and left their dead bodies on the road, plucked my

brother's right eye out. In December two out of my three uncles, left for the liberation

war, have returned. Sixteen days later, from the Pakistani camp, returned home my 21

year old aunt . Some of the neighbors, who fought for liberation and returned home,

have lost their hands, some their legs. Still December is the month when the relatives

of the cripple war victims became overwhelmed with joy for their homecoming.


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But nobody expected my poor aunt returns home. They all would have been relieved

if she did not. Ever since, I always proudly referred to my father, brother and uncles. I

was proud of our losses. But I never mention my aunt. Today stepping out of all damn

inhibitions, I am proudly saying that: in the darkroom of the military camp ten brutish

lechers (Pakistani soldiers) have incessantly raped my aunt for 16 days.

Our society did not pride on my aunt. In newspapers and magazines, in conferences,

meetings and seminars the big shots went loud about raped women. Their pompous

title "War heroines" for the victim women of war is nothing but a farce in the name of

liberalism.

Although everybody accepted the ravage, the torture by boots and bayonets, even

dreadful deaths unleashed by the war-they did not accept the hapless accident: rape.

In December, when the political leaders were shouting outside for the honor of the

raped mothers and sisters, then in December, the month of our victory, as the last

resort to keep her honor: my aunt hanged herself on the wooden beam of their

house.

Taslima Nasreen: Nirbachita Columns (p25-26)

Women in Liberation War

Armed parade by members of Students' Union, NAP(M)-CP (7 Mar 71)


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Armed parade by members of Awami Students' League (1971)

Daughters of fire

Sarala Debi

One of the gurus (inspirers) of anti Britsh armed movement in India (Bangla). She

played a great role in forming the network of Anushilan Samitis in all major towns in

united Bangla between 1900-1910. She worked hand in hand with the other inspirers

of the movement: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo Ghose, Sister Nibedita, Peter

Kropotkin and Kakuzo Okakura.

Preeti Lata Waddadar (1911-32)

Preetilata was born on 5 May 1911 in the Dholaghat village of Chittagong. Her

father's name was Jagabandhu Wadddadar, the head clerk of Chittagong Municipality.

Her mum Protibha Waddadar was a patron of the local revolutionaries and a supporterof Swadeshi movement. In 1927 Preetilata obtained her SSC in first division from Dr

Khastogir Girls' College. Then she moved to Dhaka for her HSC studies and enrolled

in Eden College. As a student of Eden Girls College, Preetilata joined theDeepali

Sangha, a Dhaka based womens revolutionary organization.In 1929 Preetilata topped

among the female students in HSC exam. Due to her outstanding result Preetilata was

awarded Tk 20.00 monthly scholarship from the board of education. The financial

support enabled Preetilata to pursue her higher studies in Kolkata, the then center of

culture and education of united Bangla. In Kolkata, Preetilata succeeded in enrolling

in the prestigious Bethune College. As a member of the Revolutionary party Preetilata


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immediately formed a student front of the revolutionary party with a couple of her

classmates. Her group raised money to support the Chittagong based revolutionaries

and organized a readers' forum to promote patriotic spirit among the college students.

On the direction of the party high command PL bought explosive implements from

underground factories in Kolkata and took the explosives to Chittagong. Her mates atBethune College, Kalpana Datta, Sarojini Pal, Kumudini Rakkhit, Renuka Ray,

and Kamala Mukherjee helped Preetilata in her mission. In 1930 Preetilata, instead of

seating for BA (hons), sat for BA (pass) exam and passed BA with distinction. On her

return to Chittagong Preetilata started her teaching career and joined as the principal

of a newly established English medium school, Aparna Charan Girls High

School.Preetilata was a member ofJugantar-a secret revolutionary organization.

The death of comrade Ardhendu Dastidar in the Jalalabad hill war on 22 April 1930

spurred her commitment to revolutionary causes. On 13 June 1932 Preetilata secretly

met Master Da Surya Sen, the legendary Bangalee revolutionary, at the residence of

Sabitri Debi of Dholaghat. In the meeting Preetilata demanded that girls should be

given equal opportunity in armed revolutionary activities. She argued that many

young people have already given their lives for the freedom of the motherland, now it

was the time for the girls to embrace the same fate of honor.

The task for attacking the European Club in Chittagong was initially assigned to rebel

Shaileshwar Chakraborty which he failed to carry out twice for various reasons. In

September 1932 Surya Sen came to South Kattali village to discuss the strategies and

tactics for attacking the European Club. On the instruction from the party high

command Preetilata and Kalpana Datta, wearing men's clothes in order to escape the

British spies, headed for the secret meeting called by Surya Sen. Unfortunately

Kalpana was arrested at Pahartali but Preetilata managed to skip the British spies. In

the meeting Surya Sen told Preetilata that she was nominated to lead the attack on the

European Club on 23 September 1932 and the other members of her team were:

1. Shanti Chakraborty (Kattali) 2. Kali Dey (Gosail Danga) 3. Sushil Dey (Dharala)

4. Prafulla Das ((Kattali) 5. Mahendra Chaudhury (Mohra).

At 2145 hrs on 23 September Surya Sen, with one of his body guards, came to Kattali

to wish luck to his comrades for the success of the operation. At 2200 hrs Preetilata

and her comrades, all wearing military uniforms, took farewell from the commander

and marched off to carry out the operation. Soon they reached the European Club and

took position in the bush near the club. They were carrying rifles robbed from the

British armories, pistols and macerates in their waists and bombs in their haversacks.

The British colonial officers were having a great time inside the club while Preetilata's

team was preparing the attack. The gate of the club was protected by armed guards.On receivingMorse codedsignal from the chef of the club kitchen Preetilata stormed


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the club firing shots on the armed guards at the gate and shouting "Charge". Her

comrades joined her and kept shooting on the club. Preetilata lead the attack and threw

a bomb through the main gate as soon as she reached the gate. The Britons were

bewildered at the sudden armed attack and ran their heads off to save their asses. An

Englishman tried to play James Bond and threw goblets to the rebels. Preetilata shothim and sent his soul to merry old England.

But soon the military reinforcement from the nearby cantonment came for rescue.

Under-equipped to fight the military Preetilata signaled her comrades to retreat. They

followed her command and retreated. A few minutes later Preetilata went back to

make sure that all her comrades were ok. The group of partisans soon reached the rail

line near the club covered by the team leader who followed them to ensure a safe

retreat. They were heading for Pahartali bazaar because Kattali village is very close to

the bazaar. As the rebels were heading to the bazaar a young Englishman, who hid in

the gutter to escape the attack, shot at Preetilata. The bullet hit Preetilata on her chest

and she dropped on the road bleeding profusely. But Preetilata was a born rebel and

was determined not to surrender to the British colonists so the valiant rebel took out

the cyanide pill and swallowed it.

Suniti Chaudhuri

Comilla. Executed the notorious British District magistrate to free East Bangla from

British colonial rules.

Santi Ghose Das (1916).

Daughter of a Comilla College teacher, Santi was a member of theJugantar

arty. Sentenced to life imprisonment for killing the district magistrate, CGB Stevens.

Santi later joined the Congress on her release from the prison


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Kalpana Datta Joshi (1913 b)

Bornin Chittagong, Kalpana became an active member of ChittagongJugantar party

after the famous armory raid led by Master Da. Arrested along with Master Da and

Tarekeshwar Dastidar from their hiding place after a fierce battle with a

police/military squad, Kalpana was transported to the Andamans. After her release

from the penal colony, Kalpana joined the communist party and married PC Joshi aprominent communist leader.

Bina Das Bhaumik (1911)

An arts graduate, Bina was connected with Calcutta Chhatri Sangha, a quasi

revolutionary organization for young girls. Was sentenced to nine years imprisonment

for her failed attempt on the life of the Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, in 1932

at the annual convocation meeting of Calcutta University. Following her release in

1938, Bina joined the Congress party and was elected the secretary of South Calcutta

Congress Committee. Later Bina became a member of West Bangla Rajyo Sobha.

Bina married Jyotish Chandra Bhaumik, her comrade at arms and a college teacher.

Uzzala Majumder


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Leelabati Nag Roy (1909-70)

Daughter of a deputy magistrate, Leelabati was an active member of the Shree

Sangha which she joined in 1925. Leela led theDeepali Sangha, a revolutionary

organization of women with its headquarters in Dhaka and a branch in Calcutta where

it was known as Chhatri Sangha. Leela later married Anil Baran Roy, the leader of

Shree Sagha and eventually both of them joined the Forward Bloc.Manorama Basu Masima

Educationist, social worker

Ila Mitra

Leader of Tebhaga movement. For her participation in the cultivator's movement, she

was brutally tortured by the Pakistani government and was forced to leave

Bangladesh. Click here forIla Mitra page

Rashmoni Hajong

A top rebel leader of Tonk Movement against the local feudal lords and their master

the forces of British imperialism. Tonk was a demand of the portion of the harvest the

on the cultivators by the feudal lords irrespective of their produce for the seasson. The

poor cultivators could hardly afford the amount of crops demanded by the lords. So to

claim their due the lords used to send their men guarded by British police to get their

cut of the produce. The demand being unjustified the Hajongs often resisted them

resulting in big fights with the police. Comrade Monisingha was the key organiser of

the Tonk movement. The Hajong society is a matriarchal society and as such Hajongwomen are traditionally more active and industrious than Hajong men. So the Hajong

movement against the British imperialism is unique in the history of Bangla in that it

was a movemnt comprised and led by women.

On 31 January 1946, the forces of Eastern Rifles raided the Kolagora village to bash

and capture the Hajong youth. But failing to find any as they all left fearing the olice

raid, the police kidnapped a Hajong young girl, housewife Kumudini, 18 of Baheratoli

village. As they were forcibly dragging the girl, her screams reached the leader of the

Hajong Women Force, Rashmoni Hajong. She was in a meeting with her fellow
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activists, Distamoni and Shanko Moni. Both of them advised Rashmoni Hajong not to

take a hasty action against the British police force. They wanted to develop some

strategy to fight the police and free Kumudini. But the Rashmoni did not want to

waste time devising strategies. She sprang like a tiger saying A womans dignity is

at stake! What to ponder on it! We must act quick! You can think as much as youwant. Im going to save her.....Rashmoni Hajong ran out with a few of her fellow

activists to free Kumudini from the grip of the imperial police force. Surendra,

another Hajong rebel leader followed her with his men to free Rashmoni. A fierce but

uneven battle ensued: between the imperial police armed with rifles and the local

Hajongs with stick and knives. After a few hours of bloody battle the rebels managed

to free Kumudini but at the expense of the lives of both Surendra and Rashmoni.

Rashmoni Hajong was the first women hero of the Hajong movement.

Freedom Fighters

Monika Matin-Sirajgonj

Taramon Bibi

Kakon Bibi

Rawshan Ara Begum: A teenager who jumped on the Paki tank wearing a powerfulmine exploding a whole Paki platoon.

Shirin Banu Mitil: Hails from Pabna, Shirin was the president of Pabna Students'

Union in 1971. Shirin was involved in the Pabna Resistance Movement. Mujib's 7th

March speech inspired her so much that she took part in erecting road barricades along

the major roads of Pabna town to obstruct the raid of Paki army. Following Mujib's

declaration of liberation war on 26th March, 1971, the male members of her party

signed in for liberation war. Shirin could not stand the fact that being a girl was her

main barrier to join the war. Her brother came ahead to rescue her from herpsychological dilemma and advised her to join the war under the guise of a man as

rebel Preeti Lata did during the anti British movement. Past all hesitation Shirin joined

the war the next day: dressed as a man. On April 9, Shirin carried out her assignment

at a Control room in Pabna. Concealing her identity, she did everything for the war

hand in hand with her male comrade at arms. Late in the war she looked after a group

of freedom fighters from Rajshahi. Then Shirin went to Kolkata and involved in

organistional activities to support the liberation war.

Kazi Tamanna: Daughter of a progressive journalist, Kazi Idris, Tamanna was


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involved in all the political movements leading to the liberation war since the Mass

Movement of 1969. With the help of her freedom fighter fianc and later husband

Golam Rabbani, Tamanna crossed the border via Chandina and went to Agartala,

India. From Agartala Tamanna went to the Head Office of the Provincial government

of Bangladesh at 8 Theatre Road, Kolkata. She then met Tajuddin Ahmed and soughta job to help the freedom fighters. Tajuddin Ahmed immediately appointed her as a

doctor. Tamanna committed herself in helping the injured freedom fighters. Days after

days, nights after nights Tamanna was beside the injured freedom fighters helping

them to achieve their dreams of a free motherland. During her breaks Tamanna took

part in the plays for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro to boost the morales of the

freedom fighters and the fellow countrymen captive in their homeland by the barbaric

Paki troops.

Shahin Samad: The artists and the cultural activists were at the fore front o

Liberation Movement. Chhayanot had a great contribution in boosting and sustaining

the spirit of liberation war. I was a student of Chhayanot and as such I participated in

on stage, sang patriotic songs on the streets to inspire and mobilize the masses. I

wanted to join the war, but the family did not allow me to. So one night I fled from

home, dead at night, with my band and went straight to the Lenin Sarani in Kolkata.

There I met Sanjida Khatun, Wahidul Haq, Aly Zaker, Mostafa Manwar, Dalia, Naila,

Lubna and others. Together they formed the Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Sangstha'

(The Revolutionary Organization for the Liberation of Bangladesh), Sanjida Khatun

was the president of this organization, Mahmudur Rahman Benu the general secretary.

The artists of Kolkata came out to help us. They formed a forum to support the causes

of Bangladesh' The Association of artists, writers and intellectuals in for a free

Bangladesh, The president of the assoc was Tara Shankar Bando, and GS were

Manindra Ray, Nirendro Nath Chakraborty and Dipendro Nath Bando. we used to

rehearse at Dipen Da's residence."

Asha Lata Baidya

Safia KhatunRowshan Akter Lili

Jahanara Begum Alo

Kanchan Mala

Saleha Begum

Sarifa Khatun

Johra Khatun

Ambia Khatun

Saleha Begum

Pushpa Rani Halder


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Momela Begum

Rokeya Begum Hena

Shirin Sahnewaz

Rokeya Khatun: Baghar Para Jessore

Fatema: Khatun Baghar Para JessoreSakhina Begum

Tahera Begum

Mirashi Begum

Jahan Ara Begum

Marjina Bawa

Mahmuda Khanam

Meherun Nesa Mira

Halima Khatun

Urmila Ray

Begum Sufia Kamal: Poet, Feminist, Organizer

Jahan Ara Imam

Mother of a famous freedom fighter, Rumi. A great supporter and contributor to theliberation of Bangladesh, Ms Imam lost both her son and husband for the great cause.

In the hey days of the Razakars promoted by post 1975 governments, this formidable

mother organized the Nirmul Committee, the committee for elimination of the killers

and collaborators of 1971.

Here are brief events that turned Jahanara Imam from being the mother of martyr

Rumi to Shahid Janani of the entire nation.

1978: 11th July War Criminal Golam Azam entered Bangladesh (after general Zia set


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up the ground by amending the constitution) with a Pakistani passport with visa given

on humanitarian grounds to see his ailing mother. But he stayed back with the

blessings of general Zia and resumed organising the hitherto banned Islamic

fundamentalist: Jamaat-e-Islam.

1991: 29th December Golam Azam, still a Pakistani citizen, elected the Amir of

Jamaat-e-Islam. Despite the nationwide protest against Golams officially chairing the

political party Khaleda Zia (general Zias widow) government ignored the

constitutional violation on the part of the Jamaatis.

1992: 1st January Formation of Ekattorer Ghatak Dala Nirmul committee

(committee for the elimination of the war criminals and collaborators of 71) under the

leadership of Jahanara Imam with cooperation other leaders of the society. A

committee of 101 persons who were the signatory of declaration condemning Jamataction as illegal and freshly raising demand for trying war criminals. The committee

next announced that a public trial would be held to try the war criminals of the

liberation war on 26th March, the 21st anniversary of our independence.

1992: 2nd February National coordination Committee was formed (Ekattorer Ghatak

Dala Nirmul committee and Muktiyuddher Chetana Bastabayan committee joined

hands together to launch countrywide movement for trial of war criminals)

1992: 24th March Golam Azam was arrested and sent to Dhaka central jail by theKhaleda Zia government. He was given VIP treatment inside the jail. Simultaneously

the ministry of internal affairs warned Mrs. Jahanara Begum and her leading

colleagues of severe consequences of the movement. The authority further pointed out

that formation of Public tribunal and proposed trial of Golam Azam and his parterns in

crime would violate the constitution of the country. Such action would be treated by

the government as tantamount to taking laws in their own hands. For this reason the

agitators would be liable to be prosecuted. Later on the BNP government of Khaleda

Zia filed a case of sedition against martyr motherJahanara Imam and her 24

distinguished colleagues who led the movement. They were all produced before DM

magistrate where they were granted bails.

1992: 26th March The verdict of public trial was proclaimed by Shahid Janani

Jahanara Imam, Chairperson of the tribunal, on behalf of all the judges of the public

court, in Shahid Surwardy Uddan in a massive peoples rally where millions

participated.

1993: 4th April Left Dhaka for USA for cancer treatment.


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1994: 26th June Passed away with still case of sedition against her.

1994: 7th July Burial at Dhaka Intellectual cemetery.

Jahanara Imams last message to the nation written from her deathbed before shemerged with eternity.

My Appeal and Directives to the people of Bangladesh

(From Shahid Janani Jahanara Imam)

My fellow warriors,

You have been fighting the evil forces of Golam Azam and his war criminals of 1971,

along with the detractors of a free Bangladesh for the last three years. As a nation of

Bangalees, your unity and courage has been unparallel. I was with you at the start of

our struggle. Our resolve was to remain in battle until we had achieved our objective.

Stricken with the fatal disease of cancer, I am now facing my final days. I have kept

my resolve. I did not leave the battle. But I cannot stop the inevitable march of death.

Therefore, I once again remind you of our resolve to fight until our goal is attained.

You must fulfill your commitment. You must stand united and fight to the very end.

Even though I will not be among you. I will know that you--- my millions of Bangalee

children---- will live in a free Golden Bengal with your sons and

daughters.

We still have a long and arduous road ahead. People from all walks of life has joined

this battle. People from different political and cultural groups, freedom fighters,

women, and students, and youths have all committed themselves to the battle. And I

know that there is no one more committed than the people. People are power. So I

commit the responsibility of the fight to bring Golam Azam and the war criminals of

1971 to justice and to continue to champion the Spirit of the Liberation War to you---

the people of Bangladesh. For certain, victory will be ours.

ahanara Imam


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Matia Chowdhury

Legendry students' leader of the mass movement of 1969. For her formidable

leadership of the students in the mass movement she was accorded the title,

"Daughter of fire". A politician committed to the welfare of the poor masses, Matiahails from Mymensingh.

Taslima Nasreen: Famous Bangalee feminist. By profession a doctor, Taslima hailsfrom Mymensingh. A leading poet, novelist and columnist, Taslima voices the

sufferings of Bangladeshi women in a predominantly patriarchal society. Due to the

threat of persecution by the Islamic fundamentalist groups combined with the

rejection of Bangladeshi male chauvinists, Taslima is presently living in exile.Click

here for Taslima's site.

Great Bangalee Women

Begum Rokeya (1880-1932)

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was born into a Bengali Muslim upper-class family in the

small village of Pairaband in the district of Rangpur, north of present day Bangladesh,

then a part of the colonial British province of Bengal Presidency. Her date of birth is

not known. However, a nephew of hers posits Dec. 9, 1880.

Her mother was Rahatunnessa Sabera Chowdhurani. Not much is known of her except

that she strictly followed purdah as Rokeya mentioned in dedicating to her The

Secluded Ones, some humorous essays that expose some ridiculous consequences of

the practice of Purdah. Her father was Zahiruddin Mohammad Abu Ali Saber, a well-

educated, influential landowner whose massive estate was a stronghold for thetraditional way of life. Rokeya had two brothers (Abul Asad Ibrahim Saber and
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Khalilur Rahman Abu Jaigam Saber) and two sisters (Karimunessa and Humaira).

Being boys, her brothers were first educated at home (as was the tradition) then sent to

St. Xavier's, one of Calcutta's most prestigious colleges.

Rokeya and her sisters only received traditional education at home. As it was thetradition in high-class Muslim families, girls learned to read Arabic (so as to be able to

read the Koran) and Urdu (in order to read the popular books on "feminine" conduct).

They were kept from learning Bengali and English precisely because they were

spoken by non-Muslims as well. This was one way of keeping these women from

being "contaminated" by the radical ideas from outside their religio-economic group.

Going against the grain, Rokeya's oldest brother, who was exposed to Western

education, was in favor of educating women. He secretly taught Rokeya English and

Bengali at home.

In 1896, Ibrahim was instrumental in the family marrying off Rokeya at age 16 to a

widower in his late 30's, Syed Sakhawat Hossain, who was then a district magistrate

in the Bihar region of Bengal Presidency. Ibrahim was impressed with Syed's open-

mindedness. Syed was educated both locally and in London. Rokeya and her husband

settled in Bhagalpur, Bihar. None of her children lived. Syed, who was convinced that

the education of women was the best way to cure the ills of his society, encouraged

his all-too-willing wife to write, and set aside 10,000 rupees to start a school for

Muslim women. In 1909, 11 years after they had been married, Syed died and Rokeya

immediately started the school in Bhagalpur in his memory.

In 1910, a feud over family property with her step-daughter's husband caused her to

close down the school in Bhagalpur, abandon her house, and move to Calcutta where

she re-opened the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School on March 16, 1911. The number

of students went from 8 in 1911 to 84 in 1915. In 1917, the school was inspected by

Lady Chelmsford, wife of the Governor General and Vicerory of India. After that,

prominent people supported the school. By 1930, the school had evolved into a high

school (10 grades) where Bengali and English were regular courses. In Calcutta, she

became very involved in civil affairs. In 1916, she founded the Anjuman-e-Khawatin-

e-Islam, Bangla (Bengali Muslim Women's Association). In 1926, Rokeya presided

over the Bengal Women's Education Conference held in Calcutta. She was active in

debates and conferences concerning the advancement of women until her death in

December 9, 1932, shortly after presiding over a session during the Indian Women's

Conference in Aligarh. Her death was grieved by many male and female Hindu and

Muslim activists, including educators as well as liberal leaders of her country. In

December of 1932, Rokeya was working on an essay entitled Narir Adhikar (The

Rights of Women) which remained unfinished.


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Her legacy is that of a Muslim woman who was born and raised in purdah. Yet, she

was able to rise beyond the limitations that her society placed upon her. With the help

of her "liberal" brother and husband, she was not only able to write (in Bengali and

English) but took significant steps to educate the women in her country.

Toru Datta (1856-77)

Works: two volumes of verse, an incomplete novel (Bianca) in English, one novel in

French, critical essays on Henry Derozio and Leonte de Lisle in Bengal

Magazine, pieces in a dozen European and Indian journals, all before she was twenty

one.

Torus first volume was A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876), a 200 page

anthology of French verse in English translation (and a few pieces of Heinrich Heines

German poetry translated into English from their French versions), done incollaboration with her sister Aru Dutt who died even younger. Torus second and

posthumous volume of poems, Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan (1882) was

published in 1882 by the respected British publisher Kegan Paul.

In her poetry she focused on Indian women, the lower caste, children and other

marginal creatures.

Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949)

Works: The Bird of Time (1912)

Influence: Urdu gazal, Radha Krishna lore, Swinburne, lyric forms of fin-de-siecle

British poets.

The Pardah Nashin

Her life is a revolving dream

Of languid and sequestered ease;

Her girdles and her fillets gleamLike changing fires on sunset seas;

Her raiment is like morning mist,

Shot opal, gold and amethyst.

From thieving light of eyes impure.

From coveting sun or winds caress,

Her days are guarded and secure

Behind her carven lattices,

Like jewels in a turbaned crest


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Like secrets in a lovers breast.

But through no hand unsanctioned dares

Unveil the mysteries of her grace,

Time lifts the curtain unawaresnd sorrow looks into her face.

Who shall prevent the subtle years,

Or shield a womans eyes from tears.

Selina Banu

Daughter of Khan Bahadur Wasim Uddin, an influential and liberal Muslim from

Pabna and the chairman of Pabna district board, Selina Banu hails from Pabna. She

entered the student politics in the 40s. She was the General Secretary of the Awami

Womens League. She was one of the elected MLAs of the United Front.

Later in the Kagmari conference, in which Maulana Bhasani resigned from Muslim

Awami Legume due to Suhrawardi's pro American stance, Selina Banu was one of the

nine MLAs that resigned and sided with Bhasani in the protest. When National

Awami Party was formed in 1957, Selina Banu joined NAP. She was a central

committee member of all Pakistan NAP. She was also the president of the Pabna Zilla

NAP.

She married her distant cousin Khandakar Mr. Shahjahan from Tangail. Mr.Shahjahan was also a member of the communist party. After partition Mr. Shahjahan

quit CPB but continued to support the socialist and progressive causes. Later in her

life Selina Banu moved to Comilla and worked as the principal of a local girls' school.

During the liberation war Selina participated in the war with many of her family

members. Her daughter Shirin Banu Mitil was a valiant freedom fighter who fought in

man's disguise in the front rows of the war.

She was unpretentious, non-communal, committed to the welfare of the community

especially the women and children in poverty and misery.

Selina Parvin: Poet, Journalist

Martyr intellectual. Killed by the collaborators of Pakistani army on the eve of our

independence.

Dr Nilima Ibrahim

organiser and contributor to our liberation, writer

Suchitra Mitra. Singer, Phonetician.


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Mahashweta Debi: novelist

Gayatri Chakraborty Spivak

literary critic, academic: Marxism, deconstruction, post structuralism, feminism, post-

colonial literature.

Ketaki Kushari Dyson

literary critic, poet, most celebrated translator of Tagore's poems.

Basanti Guha Thakurata: educationist, writer

Begum Mustari Shafi: Writer, Editor, Bandhabi.

Noor Zahan Begum: editor of first Bengali (BD) weekly magazine for women.

Minakshee Mukherjee: Critic

Rijia Rahman: novelsit

Aparna Sen: editor, film director

Selina Hossain: novelist

Dilara Hashim: novelist

Novera Ahmed: sculptor

Shamim Shikder: Feminist, sculptorBibi Russell (Maksuda Khanam): Model, designer

Kanak Chanpa Chakma: Painter

Susmita Sen: Miss Universe

Jhumpa Lahiri: Novelsit

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Female Bengali Freedom Fighters

Documents

Transcript of Female Bengali Freedom Fighters