Nepaldev Bhattacharya Memorial Meet: A Tribute to the Multifaceted Leader
New Delhi, May 18:
At a heartfelt memorial meeting held yesterday at 36, Canning Lane, New Delhi, comrades and leaders from across the nation paid tribute to Nepaldev Bhattacharya, the former General Secretary of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). The gathering, organized by SFI’s Central Executive Committee, saw an outpouring of memories highlighting Bhattacharya's life, leadership, and contributions to India's student and youth movements
Prominent academic and former SFI leader Soheil Hashmi reminisced about Bhattacharya’s courage during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. "It was Nepalda's initiative that saved Sikh taxi drivers from mob violence. He even sheltered endangered Sikhs in his home, risking his safety to protect them," Hashmi recalled. He also narrated tales of their early days of organizing student federations across India, including challenging journeys without reservations and the camaraderie forged in the process.
SFI veteran M.A. Baby reflected on Bhattacharya's role in shifting SFI’s headquarters to Delhi post-Emergency in 1975, facilitating nationwide student mobilization. "Nepalda was not just a political leader; he was a cultural force. Songs by Salil Chowdhury, workers’ stories, and street plays were transformed into movements under his guidance," Baby said.
Leaders across the political spectrum shared anecdotes from Bhattacharya's life. Hannan Mollah, former General Secretary of DYFI, described him as a "crisis manager" and a companion in his political youth. "From Shyamnagar's council meetings to founding DYFI alongside the likes of Kishori Lal and Shiv Verma, Nepalda’s presence was synonymous with reliability," he noted.
Renowned academic Nilotpal Basu, who succeeded Bhattacharya as SFI’s General Secretary, described him as a “symbol of both resilience and vibrancy.” Basu credited Bhattacharya for anchoring movements during turbulent times, especially under the oppressive regime of the Emergency.
The event was also a celebration of Bhattacharya’s love for cinema and hospitality. N.K. Sharma of the National School of Drama spoke of Nepalda’s encyclopedic knowledge of film techniques, which often left even seasoned critics awestruck. Attendees fondly recalled how he would often combine his passion for films with his leadership duties, blending art and activism seamlessly.
As the evening concluded amidst an unseasonal drizzle, AIDWA leader Mehbooba Mollah recalled one of Nepalda's sayings: "Even if a father disowns his son, the son never changes his father’s name." It was a fitting metaphor for his unflinching loyalty to his ideological roots.
Nepaldev Bhattacharya’s contributions remain a guiding light for student and youth movements across the country. As SFI prepares for its 18th All India Conference in Kozhikode, Kerala, later this year, the stage will be aptly named after Comrade Sitaram Yechury and Nepaldev Bhattacharya, a tribute to their enduring legacy.
