From the Archives

This document contains a fascinating political correspondence from March 1965 between Naresh Bhowmick and Dr. Triguna Sen, who was the Rector of Jadavpur University at the time. Dr. Sen was also a former Education Minister for the Goverment of India. He was also a Mayor of Calcutta Corporation for some time. The exchange includes: A critical letter from Naresh Bhowmick accusing Dr. Sen of political opportunism regarding the upcoming Calcutta Corporation election and his involvement with the “Progressive Citizens’ Bloc” (P.C.B.). Dr. Sen’s detailed reply, where he refutes the claims and denies involvement in the formation of the P.C.B. A final letter from Naresh Bhowmick requesting that the correspondence not be made public to avoid harming the election candidates. The letters provide a glimpse into the intense local politics of Calcutta during that period. ...

This letter, dated October 2, 1961, is a formal request from Naresh Bhowmick to rejoin the Socialist Party. In this detailed correspondence, Bhowmick provides context for his request: He recalls the disciplinary action taken against him in 1958, which led to his departure from the party, and states his desire to return now that the debarment period is over. He outlines his activities over the previous two years in Silchar, Assam, where he worked as a socialist without any formal party affiliation. He recounts facing both legal and political challenges, including a two-year defamation case and being detained during the 1961 language movement, despite disagreeing with its organizers. He proposes the formation of a new party unit in Cachar, suggesting it initially operate independently under the Central Party to steer clear of local “language fanatics.” The letter offers a compelling personal narrative of his political convictions and his strategic plan for contributing to the party’s growth in Assam. ...

This letter, dated October 4, 1961, is from Rabi Roy, then the General Secretary of the Socialist Party, to Comrade Naresh Bhowmick. In the letter, Rabi Roy expresses his happiness at Bhowmick’s decision to rejoin the party and encourages him to organize a new party unit in Silchar, under the broader Assam party structure. He clarifies the party’s stance on the contentious language issue, advocating for a “people’s movement against English.” ...

This document is a letter dated October 15, 1958, from Naresh Bhowmick to an individual named “Comrade Hector.” The letter recounts a significant event from July 27, 1958, when a deputation from the West Bengal State Socialist Party met with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and West Bengal Chief Minister Dr. B. C. Roy. The author details how they presented an “open letter” to PM Nehru which, upon being read, caused a tense reaction from Dr. Roy as it apparently called for the Prime Minister’s resignation. ...

This document is a letter from Naresh Bhowmick to “Mr. Osmani Saheb,” dated March 5, 1965. In this letter, Naresh Bhowmick provides a detailed analysis of the political landscape in India, with a particular focus on West Bengal. He critically examines the state of the Socialist movement, the influence of leaders like Dr. Lohia, and the shifting alliances among various political parties. He also shares his predictions for the outcomes of the recent Kerala election and the upcoming Calcutta Corporation election. ...

This document is the “Open Letter” sent to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on July 27, 1958, by the Socialist Party of West Bengal. It was signed by Chairman Satyananda Bhattacharya and Secretary Naresh Bhowmick. The letter is a powerful and trenchant critique of the Nehru government’s performance twelve years after India’s independence. It accuses the ruling party of failing to solve the nation’s problems, leading to a “polarisation of poverty” while the privileged few accumulate wealth. It condemns the suppression of protests with police and military force, criticizes the government’s foreign policy, and takes offense at remarks Nehru had recently made about Calcutta. ...

This collection of documents, spanning from 1974 to 1980, chronicles the protracted effort to secure a Freedom Fighters’ Pension for Smt. Depali Rani Bhowmick, the widow of Naresh Chandra Bhowmick. The file includes several key pieces of correspondence: An initial letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1974, threatening to close the pension case due to a lack of evidence. Personal certificates from Members of Parliament, including Chitta Basu and Dwijendralal Sen Gupta, attesting to Naresh Bhowmick’s participation in the Quit India movement and his subsequent imprisonment in Dum Dum Central Jail (1942-43). Numerous follow-up letters from MP Chitta Basu to various officials, urging them to take action and highlighting the “extreme distress” of the applicant. Responses from the central government indicating that the process was stalled while awaiting a verification report from the Government of Assam. These documents provide a compelling look at the bureaucratic challenges faced by the families of freedom fighters in seeking the recognition and support they were due. ...

This collection of letters from 1980-1981 details the efforts to secure a Freedom Fighters’ Pension for Smt. Depali Rani Bhowmick, the widow of Naresh Chandra Bhowmick. The correspondence, primarily driven by Member of Parliament Chitta Basu, is addressed to Shri Nalini Guha and others. It reveals that the pension approval was pending confirmation from the West Bengal government regarding Naresh Bhowmick’s imprisonment in Dum Dum jail in 1942. A notable inclusion is a letter from India’s then-Home Minister, Shri Zail Singh, clarifying the central government’s stance and the need for state-level verification. The letters underscore the bureaucratic hurdles involved in the pension process for freedom fighters’ families. ...

This postcard, dated June 15, 1956, was sent from the Socialist Party office in Gauhati (Guwahati), Assam, to Comrade Naresh Bhowmick in Silchar. The letter, signed by “Hareswar” (likely Hareswar Goswami, a notable Socialist leader), welcomes Naresh Bhowmick’s presence in Silchar at an “opportune moment.” The writer mentions arranging a meeting with Shri Amit Nag to help with the party’s weekly publication and confirms that two membership books (one in Hindi, one in Assamese) have been sent separately. ...

This document outlines the comprehensive “PROGRAMME” for the “Foundation Conference” of the “SOCIALIST PARTY,” which took place from December 28, 1955, to January 3, 1956. The multi-day conference featured a wide array of activities, including: Inaugural speeches and addresses from the Chairman and President. Presentations from various wings of the party, such as Youth, Labour, and Kisan Organisations. Extensive discussions and reports covering critical topics like Party Organisation, Parliamentary Policy, Agrarian Policy, Women’s issues, the Party Constitution, and future Resolutions and Elections. This program offers a significant historical glimpse into the foundational efforts and ideological priorities of the Socialist Party in India during the mid-1950s. ...