Politicization of colonial prison through writing of native newspaper : Before rise of Gandhi (1905-1915)/ প্রাক-গান্ধী পর্বে দেশীয় সংবাদপত্রের লেখনীতে কারাগারের রাজনীতিকরন (১৯০৫ - ১৯১৫)

Abstract

The concept of political prisoner was a contesting space between colonial government and nationalist.  Colonial government basically tried to implemented hegemonic control over subjected people. Alien ruling power has intended to embedded hegemonic power through the concept of rule of law. The very people who violated the rule of law would be punished by imprisonment. Imprisonment became the means to implemented rule of law. Pervasive presence of rule of law has created a section of obedient indigenous people who for their interest wants to support colonial rule. These Section of people gradually realized the limitation of the concept of rule of law. These section from the time of swadesi movement conspicuously protested against the colonial government. Their protest not only confined within traditional protest but also extended to new from a mass mobilization. Newspaper has a pivotal role within the ambit of new form of mass mobilization. Newspaper gradually made conciliatory space with the mass. Colonial government also had took repressive measure against nationalist press. Native press played profound impact to made prison as a political space. Basically middle class prisoner wielded the violation of rule of as a form of protest. Middle class prisoner always used imprisonment to enhance the cause of nationalist movement. Native newspaper regularly published the report of middle class suffering within the prison. Suffering within the prison of nationalist became the concerning issue of national imagination. Colonial government also confronted with the dilemma of their reaction of the suffering of nationalist prisoner. Colonial administration also took some measure to differentiate the nationalist prisoner with the common prisoner. Due to this Bipin Chandra paul get good treatment within prison. But the case of Bipin Chandra paul is a exceptional issue. Generally political prisoner not get dignified treatment within the prisoner. The suffering of political prisoner extended throughout the society by native newspaper. suffering of the prisoner in Andaman jail also disseminated by native newspaper. It is well established believe that by the assiduity of the Gandhi colonial prison became the space of political protest. But if we notice the feature of swadeshi movement then it will easily understand the process of politicization of colonial prison outset before the gandhian era.