Dhirendranath Datta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dhirendranath Datta
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| ধীরেন্দ্রনাথ দত্ত دھرین درناتھ دتا |
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| Born | 2 November 1886 |
| Disappeared | 29 March 1971 (aged 84) Comilla Cantonment, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | British India (1886-1947) Pakistan (1947-1971) Bangladesh (1971) |
Dhirendranath Datta (born November 2, 1886 – disappeared March 29, 1971) was a lawyer from Bengal. He was also a very active politician. He worked in British India before it was divided. Later, he continued his political work in East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh. He is especially remembered for fighting to make Bengali an official language in Pakistan.
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Early Life and Education
Dhirendranath Datta was born on November 2, 1886. His family lived in Ramrail, which is in the Brahmanbaria District of what is now Bangladesh. His father, Jagabandhu Datta, was also a lawyer. He taught Dhirendranath about the law from a young age.
Dhirendranath went to several schools and colleges. He studied at Nabinagar High School and Comilla Zilla School. He also attended Surendranath College in Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Starting His Career
Datta first worked as a school teacher. He even became the assistant headmaster of Bangora High School in Comilla. He cared a lot about his local community. When big floods happened in 1915, he led the efforts to help people.
He also started a group called Mukti Sangha. This group helped people in need. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to do this welfare work. Datta continued to help people, even during the terrible Bengal Famine of 1943. In 1911, he joined the Comilla District Bar as a lawyer. He practiced law until a political friend, Chittaranjan Das, told him to focus on politics instead.
Becoming a Political Leader
Dhirendranath Datta was very active in politics. He strongly opposed the Bengal Partition of 1905. This was when the British tried to divide Bengal. He worked closely with other leaders like Surendranath Banerjee and Rabindranath Tagore to stop it.
Datta joined the Indian National Congress party. In 1937, he was first elected to the Bengal Legislative Council. The British rulers arrested him in 1942. This was because he took part in the Quit India movement. This movement asked the British to leave India.
Datta did not want India to be divided based on religion. He also opposed the creation of Pakistan. But when it was clear that Bengal would be split, he decided to stay in East Bengal. This area became part of the new country of Pakistan. Because of his decision, he was asked to join a special committee. This committee helped write the laws for the new country of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Era
After Pakistan was formed, Datta continued to represent his people. He was a Hindu member of the Pakistan National Congress. On February 23, 1948, he gave a famous speech. He spoke in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly in Karachi. In his speech, he asked for Bengali to be made one of Pakistan's official languages. This action is what many people remember him for the most.
In 1954, he spoke out against the government taking control in East Pakistan. He became known as a strong voice for protest and democracy. He served as the Minister of Health and Social Welfare for East Pakistan in 1956.
Later, he was stopped from taking part in national elections. This was because he was thought to be linked to a growing movement for Bengali independence. Even though he couldn't be in active politics, he secretly supported this movement.
His Tragic Death
Dhirendranath Datta always stood up against unfair treatment in Pakistan. When the Bangladesh Liberation War began, he was arrested. This happened on March 29, 1971, at his home in Comilla. His son, Dilip Kumar Datta, was also arrested with him.
They were taken to Moynamoti Cantonment. Sadly, Dhirendranath Datta was killed there. Because of this, he is often called "Shaheed," which means "martyr." This word shows great respect for his sacrifice.
Family Life
Dhirendranath Datta had two sons. Their names were Sanjib Datta and Dilip Kumar Datta.
