Kolkata, August 10: The Chief Minister of West Bengal announced on Sunday a monthly allowance of ₹10,000, free travel on government buses, and complimentary medical treatment in government hospitals for ‘Democracy Warriors.’
During a ceremony held at the state secretariat, Nabanna, the Chief Minister honored 325 individuals recognized as ‘Democracy Warriors.’ The event was also attended by the state’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Tapas Roy, who presented each honoree with a copper medal.
The Chief Minister declared that the monthly allowance, free bus travel, and medical facilities would also extend to the spouses of any honorees who are no longer alive.
The term ‘Democracy Warriors’ refers to those who were imprisoned under laws such as the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) or the Defense of India Rules (DIR) during the internal emergency from 1975 to 1977.
Reflecting on the challenging days of the emergency, the Chief Minister noted that over one lakh people were jailed across the country, with at least 5,000 from Bengal alone. She emphasized that the sacrifices made by these individuals in the dark confines of prison have preserved democracy, parliamentary democracy, and the right to vote, despite attempts to suppress these rights.
The Chief Minister also commemorated the contributions of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, alleging that there were previous attempts to erase nationalism, patriotism, and traditional culture. She asserted that today’s generation should be educated about his contributions. To this end, a special committee will be formed on August 13, chaired by the Chief Secretary, to mark the 125th anniversary of Mukherjee’s birth.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister stated that the committee would ensure that Mukherjee’s ideology and the true history of Bengal’s partition are included in school textbooks.
Leave a Comment