Disciple 1:
Salutations, Gurudev!
Gurudev:
Salutations, my son. Speak.
Disciple 1:
During the Indian independence movement against the British, we observed many spiritual seekers who became involved. They joined the movement either before or after becoming spiritual practitioners. In light of that, if some of the present spiritual leaders like you were to highlight the stories of some of those great revolutionaries, it would be beneficial for our declining society.
Gurudev:
That's true.
Disciple 1:
Therefore, today we would like to learn about Masterda Surya Sen, one of the prominent figures of the anti-British independence movement.
Gurudev:
Yes, he was a star. I spoke about Bagha Jatin previously, who died at the age of 35. And Masterda Surya Sen died at the age of… 40?
Disciple 1:
Yes, at the age of 40.
Gurudev:
He was born in 1894 and died in 1934. So, how many years was that?
Disciple 2:
40 years.
Gurudev:
At the age of 40, another star had fallen. Their role in the Indian independence movement is unimaginable. Surya Sen, or Surya Kumar Sen, was famously known as Masterda. He was a teacher. He had only one dream: to free Mother India from her shackles, by any means possible. He dedicated himself to this cause. His family members arranged a marriage for him, and the wedding took place. However, he never spoke with his wife, nor did they ever eat together.
Disciple 2:
May I know his wife's name?
Gurudev:
His wife's name was Pushpakuntala Devi. He was married to her, but he didn't even speak to her once. Later, in 1926, Surya Sen was arrested at a mess on Amherst Street in Kolkata while he was in hiding. He had fled from his home, leaving everything behind. He came to Amherst Street in a state of extreme poverty and was eventually caught by the police.
Disciple 1:
And as far as I know, he was sent from Kolkata to Ratnagiri Jail in Mumbai.
Gurudev:
Yes, Ratnagiri Jail. It was a notorious prison. He was treated inhumanely there. They wouldn't even give him food or water. Those red-faced British soldiers were sons of swine! Those white soldiers—those red-faced ones—they were all sons of swine! They were paupers! I'm calling them sons of swine because my heart is burning with rage.
Gurudev:
Later, when his wife became very ill, he was released on parole. He was brought to Chittagong to see his wife.
Disciple 1:
No, he was taken to Chittagong.
Gurudev:
Yes, near Chittagong. He went to Chittagong from Kolkata to see his wife one last time while she was on her deathbed. His wife had wanted to see him once. He was released on parole from Ratnagiri Jail in Mumbai and brought to Chittagong. He managed to escape again by deceiving the police. At that time, a reward of five thousand rupees was announced for his capture, which would be worth five crore rupees today. But even then, those red-faced monkeys did not give up.
Gurudev:
Masterda had several associates, especially Pritilata Waddedar and Kalpana Datta, who were female members of his group. You see, the contribution of Pritilata and Kalpana Datta was immense. At that time, the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar movements were active. Masterda joined them and formed a group. Pritilata Waddedar and Kalpana Datta were women who supplied food and even weapons to the revolutionaries. Later, Pritilata also came under the police's radar. When the police went to arrest her, she had a cyanide capsule with her. She committed suicide by consuming cyanide. That was Pritilata Waddedar. Kalpana Datta was another close follower of his. In those days, women were not allowed into groups like Anushilan Samiti or Jugantar. But they joined forcibly, saying they would supply weapons and food to the revolutionaries who were fighting to free the country. They contributed a lot. Eventually, Pritilata came under police surveillance. She worked extensively while evading the police and provided shelter to many freedom fighters at her home, where they spent many nights. She used to keep watch while they slept.
Disciple 2:
Now, Gurudev, tell us about his tragic death. He was eventually caught in 1934. How did he die?
Gurudev:
In 1916, while he was a student at Krishnanath College in Berhampore, he became directly involved with a political party.
Disciple 2:
Who was his mentor in that political party?
Gurudev:
Revolutionary Satish Chandra Chakrabarty, who was his professor. He inspired Masterda Surya Sen in various ways to fight for India's independence. It is said that India achieved independence due to the Chittagong Armoury Raid. Before the raid, Masterda blocked all the roads. He blocked every single road and even removed the fishplates from the railway tracks. A freight train was derailed so that the British soldiers could not reach the site. Taking advantage of this, he looted the Chittagong Armoury. Not only that, he stayed in Chittagong and hoisted the national flag at the police barracks. For four days, Chittagong remained free. It was the first time India had achieved independence for four days. He hoisted the flag, and India was free for those four days. We talk about independence now, but he was the first to hoist the flag of independence in India for those four days.
Disciple 1:
So, you're saying Masterda was the first to hoist the flag of independence in India for four days?
Gurudev:
Yes, he freed Chittagong from the police for four days and hoisted the flag of independence. This was the first time. But unfortunately, the story of his death is very tragic. When he was taken to jail, he was tortured brutally by those red-faced monkeys—those mlecchas (outcasts) who exploited India. At that time, the indigo planters also committed atrocities. My father and grandfather were present there. When Surya Sen was caught, he was taken back to Chittagong Jail. This time, he could not escape. Those sons of swine used hammers to break his joints, hands, feet, and teeth.
Disciple 1:
I believe he became unconscious after that.
Gurudev:
After he became unconscious, he was hanged. But even then, those red-faced monkeys were not satisfied. They tied him with ropes and took him on a ship named The Renown to the Bay of Bengal, where they threw his body into the water after weighing it down.
Gurudev:
And his friends and associates, who were his close companions, included Ganesh Ghosh, who was famous. You must have heard of Ganesh Ghosh, Kalpana Datta, Ananta Singh...
Disciple 1:
Yes, Ananta Singh. There were many others.
Gurudev:
Lokenath Bal... they were all his associates. Today, it's painful to talk about it.
Disciple 1:
We can understand that your heart is heavy and your eyes are filled with tears while talking about him. But what can be done? Today's society no longer values them. Anyway, please tell us what we can learn from the sacrifices of these revolutionaries, as we have not learned anything yet.
Gurudev:
People are enjoying this independence now, but has India truly become independent? I don't think India is independent yet. It is still subservient. I don't know when India will truly become independent. Today, we are celebrating 72 or 73 years of independence, but we are still looking towards those red-faced monkeys. We are still following everything they did. Today, I feel like crying because of the way he was murdered by those red-faced monkeys—that mleccha race. Today, people in Britain talk big, and our leaders wear British-style suits and act like them. They should be ashamed; they should be hated. We should spit on the faces of those who have accepted British servitude. We haven't understood the true meaning of independence yet, and I don't think we ever will. India has been independent for 72-73 years, but it's still not truly free. I don't know when it will be. It is still subservient. I will only be happy the day people can truly value their lives—the day these stars, these luminaries... look, they were all born for a short time, dying at 35 or 40. Bagha Jatin died at 35. This man died at 40. He didn't just die; he was murdered in such a way. His whole body was broken with hammers; his bones were crushed, and his teeth were broken. Then he was hanged. Even then, those red-faced monkeys were not satisfied. They tied him with ropes and threw him into the Bay of Bengal from a ship. And today, we laugh and say we are independent. What kind of independence is this? India was free for four days during the Chittagong Armoury Raid. The flag was hoisted for those four days, signifying that India was free. After that, there was no chance for independence. This independence was a compromise. Thieves gave us independence at midnight. Today, it makes me cry to think about people like Khudiram, Kanailal, Prafulla Chaki, Binoy, Badal, and Dinesh. They are no longer valued. They are only remembered on their birthdays with a garland. They have "honored" them by naming stations after them—Masterda Surya Sen, Bagha Jatin. That's it; their job is done. Their biographies are not taught; they are never explained to children or adults. Today's society is suffering the consequences. It is because of our ingratitude that society is suffering and will continue to suffer. Dying is not a big deal, but society has declined. It has become corrupt and rotten. There is no escape from this. People will die like this, rotting away.
Disciple 1:
Still, please offer some good wishes for our present society and the youth who are going astray, so that they can lead a better life.
Gurudev:
Look, it's about willpower. They left their homes, wives, and families in a state of extreme poverty. They were determined to free India. They ate tamarind leaves, you know?
Disciple 1:
Yes, they ate tamarind leaves and watermelon rinds.
Gurudev:
They even ate Colocasia plants. They survived on that. They fought even without food. Forget about food; they ate boiled tamarind leaves and boiled Colocasia. And today, we talk big about independence. They were the true leaders of independence. Those who talk about independence today while wearing suits and following the British... I hate them.
Disciple 1:
Salutations, Gurudev! We cannot bear to see you crying anymore, so we won't ask you to say anything further. Salutations, Gurudev!
Gurudev:
Salutations, my son.