Memoir Of Harekrishna Konar A Saviour Of Peasant In Bengal
THE entire life of Hare Krishna Konar was dedicated to the anti-imperialist battle and against feudalism to bring about the changes in the existing tyranny-driven Indian society. Throughout his entire life, he worked for the application of Marxist-Leninist ideology to the concrete Indian reality ane also became a pioneering figure in movements of peasants and agricultural workers to dismantle the stranglehold of feudalism on them.
Hare Krishna Konar was born on August 5, 1915 at Memari of Bardhaman district. When he was only fifteen, he was sent behind the bars for taking part in the non-cooperation movement in 1930. He was subsequently sent to Andaman Cellular Jail in 1932 for taking part in the extremist movement to uproot #British rule in India. In the Cellular Jail itself he was attracted to the Communist ideology and became member of Communist party.
He dedicated himself to the activities of revolutionary movements, Communist Party and peasants’ movements after being released from the jail in 1938. His steadfast ideological stand against revisionism placed him amid the leading members of the undivided Party. He played a firm role when there were attacks on Indian Communists by the narrow nationalists during 1959-1962 Indo-China border conflict. He was among the core founders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He fought resolutely against the left-sectarian line within the Party to uphold the Marxist-Leninist principle.
HareKrishna Konar started his political activities as a member of ‘Jugantar” revolutionary group against the British colonial rule in our country. He devoted himself for the cause of independence of the country from his student days. He was from an affluent family. I have heard from him that he broke his father’s chest to collect money for the cause of revolutionary struggle. Love for the motherland was so deep-rooted in HareKrishna Konar.
HareKrishna Konar during his jail-life in 1930 came in contact with an active member of ‘Jugantar” revolutionary group during that time. He was none other than Benoy Chowdhury, another stalwart of revolutionary movement. The freedom fighters of Bardhaman district were churned by the Meerut Conspiracy Case. Due to frequent visits of Bankim Mukherjee and Dr Bhupendranath Datta in Bardhaman, the attraction towards Communist ideology was on the rise. He was arrested when police got early information of some movements planned by the ‘Jugantar” revolutionary group in 1932. In 1933 he was sent to Andaman Cellular Jail as a member of Communist Consolidation. Marxist-Leninist ideas became his guiding force.
He was released from the jail in 1938. He became a member of the Party in the same year. He got involved with the Party activities in Kolkata and Howrah. He was sent to Bardhaman district to strengthen the movement against canal tax. During that time the Communists used to work remaining within the Congress according to the Bradley thesis. Comrade HareKrishna Konar was given responsibility to maintain contacts with the Congress workers of Kolkata, Bardhaman, Howrah and Hooghly districts. He utilised this opportunity to inculcate Leftist ideology among them. Afterwards Comrade HareKrishna Konar involved himself primarily in the Bardhaman district to apply Marxist principles in different activities. He was a pioneer in shaping the peasants’ movement in Bardhaman district. Subsequently he became a leading figure in the peasants’ movement not only in this state but in the entire country.
The British rulers restricted his movements in the industrial areas in the 40s. He was a leading figure in the Ajoy river dam movement in 1944. Comrade HareKrishna Konar was busy with the activities of Communist Party and Kisan Sabha in Bardhaman district during the period of 1944 to 1948. The Communist Party was banned on March 26, 1948. Comrade HareKrishna Konar was arrested and subsequently released after three months. He went underground and worked for the Party remaining underground till 1952.
He was elected from the Memari-Kalna assembly constituency of Bardhaman district in 1957 and from Kalna assembly constituency in 1962. He was re-elected from Kalna assembly constituency in 1967 and became minister for land and land revenue in the first United Front government. HareKrishna Konar played a pioneering role in seizing surplus land held by big land owners in excess of land ceiling laws and kept ‘benami’ (or false names) land. He also played a resolute role in the ideological battle with the naxalites. The first United Front could sustain only for nine months. Comrade Konar was once again elected from Kalna assembly constituency in 1969 and took charge as the minister for land and land revenue in the second United Front government. The initiative of seizing surplus land was even more extended in seizing the ‘benami’ land. He was an inspiration to the peasants’ movements in the state and our entire country. He was a great orator. People used to listen to him mesmerizingly in the public meetings.
He was arrested several times and also went underground for work, evading arrest. The police under British rule and later on, the police of independent India arrested this legendary leader of mass movements and peasants’ struggles. He was arrested under Defence of India Act in 1962 and was released after one year. He was once again arrested under the same act in 1964. For that reason he could not take part in the seventh Party Congress which was held in Kolkata in that very year. But he was elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in that Party Congress. He was re-elected as the Central Committee member of Party in eighth and ninth Congress respectively held in Kochi in the year 1968 and Madurai in the year 1972. HareKrishna Konar was elected as the general secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha from the national conference of 1969, which was held in Madurai. He was re-elected as the general secretary of AIKS from the conferences held in 1971 and 1973. He discharged his responsibilities as the general secretary of AIKS till he breathed his last.
He was affectionate to the dynamic, young comrades.He was suffering from an incurable disease. But still he did not compromise with the physical and mental work for the movement and the organisation. He travelled around the country for organising the Party and to consolidate peasants’ movements. He always liked to be part of the peasants’ movements .
This legendary peasant leader worked tirelessly to establish firm solidarity between workers and peasants under the leadership of the working class to free people from the tyranny and oppression. Developing the solidarity between the workers and peasants could be the best tribute offered to HareKrishna Konar. Konar has proved in his whole life that the Communists are made of a special mould. They are steadfast in their ideology and fighting spirit. They are devoted to Marxist-Leninist principles. It is important to apply these according to the context of the different countries. The coming generation should adopt the lessons left by Konar and have to apply those in their respective spheres. His deep study and understanding on Agrarian Relations attracted the attention of Academicians of International repute.
