Who was called as 'Deshbandhu' ?

The correct answer is Chittaranjan Das.

Key Points

• Chittaranjan Das, also known as ‘Deshbandhu’, was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, and politician.
• The title ‘Deshbandhu’ translates to ‘Friend of the Nation’ and was given to him for his unwavering commitment to the Indian independence movement.
• He was the founder of the Swaraj Party in 1923 alongside Motilal Nehru, advocating for greater self-governance.
• Das defended many freedom fighters during trials, including Aurobindo Ghosh in the Alipore Bomb Case, which elevated his stature as a nationalist lawyer.
• He also contributed significantly to the Non-Cooperation Movement and was a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and civil disobedience.

Additional Information

• Chittaranjan Das’s Early Life:
  • Born on 5 November 1870 in Kolkata, he belonged to an affluent Vaidya family.
  • He completed his education at the Presidency College in Calcutta and pursued law in England.
• Swaraj Party:
  • The Swaraj Party was formed to contest elections and enter legislative councils to demand reforms from the British government.
  • It aimed to counteract the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement following the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922.
• Literary Contributions:
  • Chittaranjan Das was a poet and writer. His notable works include "Sagar Sangeet" and "Mala".
• Legacy:
  • He passed away on 16 June 1925, but his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and social reforms remain pivotal.
  • Several institutions and locations in India are named after him, including Deshbandhu College in Delhi.