Pre independent Bengal and post independent West Bengal: women’s participation in political movement and its effect for changing the social structure (1905-1960)/ প্রাকস্বাধীন অবিভক্ত বাংলা ও স্বাধীন পশ্চিমবঙ্গ : সমাজকাঠামো পরিবর্তনের স্বার্থে ঘটিত রাজনৈত

Abstract

Every country carries its own social structure. But in every society, some set of traditional norms and conditions are present which need to be transformed gradually. If the transformational process is not happened, the society become stagnant. For generating the social mobility transformation is necessary. This change is possible through the socio-political consciousness and long-term social movement. If we unfold the history of movement in and out of the country it will be visible to us. But in this short span it will be discussed that the participation and evaluation of women in the political movements, organized for structural change of the society in our country specially focusing on pre independent Bengal and the west Bengal after independence, during this timeframe that is, 1905-1960. In this timeframe the women of India came out from the vail for resolving the socio-political issue. On 1905 In Bengal secession movement organized against Bengal divide rule policy of colonial government. The participation of women in Bengal in the political procession happened first time in history in colonial India and also ordinary women were engaged in the circumstances from vail also. On and after 1930 many women freedom fighters like Pritilata Waddewar, Kalpana das, Bina das joined actively in the armed movement against colonial government. In 1940s the women of Bengal were very much adjoined in the ‘quite India movement’. Before and After freedom ‘MARS’ (MAHILA ATMARAKHSHA SAMITI) encouraged the women from the all of the classes to include themselves in the socio- political and economic crisis of the society. The activity of ‘MARS’ have been seen in the 1942 when famine appeared in the Bengal. At this situation the women members of ‘MARS’ distributed food among the affected villagers and also in the town area. In the twentieth century, the rise of some women leaders who were attached in the labour movement like Sudha Roy, Prabhabati devi, Sontosh kumari devi, begum Sakina just made the examples that women can be in the front zone, they can lead. They got respect and trust from labours. Manikuntala Sen another notable communist leader, she was engaged in Tebhaga movement, also worked among the labours, she raised voice and collected the complains against dowry system from the women of West Bengal when she was member of parliament. Hance, decades after decades those women from all section, create the environment of political consciousness by engaging themselves in the circumstances. Today it is quite easy thing for women to participate in the socio-political activity but before and just after freedom the structure of Indian society was not like that, these women faced lots of trouble in their personal life. By facing all of those things they create the path for future generation. This study will focus on the role of those brave, radical, and progressive women for changing the social structure in the mentioned timeframe.