Fifty years on: Evaluating the 'contribution' of Jauhar to revolutionary activism

By Harsh Thakor*

November 29 marks the 50th death anniversary of Jauhar, also known as , who was killed in a police operation in the in 1975. His death, along with five others, is considered an important moment in the history of the .

Subrata Datta was born into a middle-class family in Calcutta. His father was a leader of the . In 1953 he joined the as a journalist and later moved with his family to Delhi. He completed his schooling at in 1961 and subsequently returned to Calcutta to work as an apprentice at .

During his years in Calcutta, he became involved in political activities and joined the communist movement. During the 1962 India–China conflict, he opposed prevailing nationalist sentiment and also participated in cultural activism, including the film society movement, becoming a founder member of the .

After the 1964 split within the Communist Party of India (CPI), he joined CPI(M). Following the , he left the party due to ideological differences and briefly worked with the MMG group before joining CPI(ML), eventually leaving his job to become a full-time organiser. His early work focused on organising peasants in the Bengal–Bihar border region of Chhotanagpur.

Working within the Bengal–Bihar Border Regional Committee, he became a member of the Bihar State Committee of the Party. In 1972, he was the only member of the leadership team in Ranchi not arrested. After the death of and the arrest of most of the Bihar leadership, organisational structures deteriorated. Datta was involved in efforts to rebuild the party, addressing internal ideological differences. Following the reorganisation of the Central Committee on July 28, 1974, he was elected as its secretary.

Datta also worked on developing peasant mobilisation in Bhojpur, which supporters of the movement viewed as a significant phase of organising. He was closely associated with efforts to restructure the party on a national level while working with local activists. Activities during this period included land disputes, actions against landlords, and clashes with police forces, which continued until intensified state operations led to heavy losses.

On November 29, 1975, Datta was killed in an armed police action in , along with several others, including Jagdish Master, Sheela, Nirman, Birad, Ramayan, Butan, and Rameshwar Ahir. His death was considered a setback for the movement, which declined significantly by 1976.

Supporters of Datta viewed his work as significant in shaping later organisational and ideological trends within different CPI(ML) streams. Some later factions, including and , interpreted or reassessed his legacy in differing ways as they evolved and changed strategies.

---

*Freelance journalist

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

Dr. Ram Bux Singh: Biogas pioneer’s legacy gains urgency amid energy crisis

By A Representative In an era defined by a global energy crisis and a desperate search for sustainable solutions, the visionary work of an Indian scientist from the mid-20th century is finding renewed, urgent relevance. Dr. Ram Bux Singh , a pioneering figure in biogas and renewable energy , is being posthumously honored by the Government of India, even as his decades-old innovations provide a blueprint for today’s challenges.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Search This Blog