Benoy Basu: Immortal Symbol of Courage and Sacrifice

Compiled Report – Online Bangadarpon:

Did you know?
🔹 After the Lohmann assassination, when the police were frantically hunting Benoy, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose advised him to go abroad. Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray even offered to bear all expenses. But Benoy refused—personal safety meant nothing, freedom meant everything.

🔹 During the Writers’ Building battle, when Benoy shot himself and fell unconscious, Police Commissioner Charles Tegart crushed his fingers under his boot—humiliated by the courage of Benoy, Badal, and Dinesh.

🔹 When interrogated in the Medical College, Benoy boldly remarked:
“I have already saved you five thousand rupees (the prize money announced for capturing him). What more can you expect from me?”

🔹 He even removed his bandage and pressed his finger into his head wound to let it fester—choosing death over capture.

🔹 The day after his death, posters appeared across Calcutta: “Benoy’s Blood Beckons For More Blood.” Bengal bowed its head in grief but rose with pride.

Benoy Basu, from an affluent family and a bright medical student, could have lived a safe, prosperous life. Instead, he chose the nation. His daring act of storming Writers’ Building and killing British officer Simpson remains unmatched in history.

Benoy-Badal-Dinesh live forever—immortal in the hearts of every Bengali.

On his birth anniversary, we bow in reverence to this true martyr.

(Based on IPS Supratim Sarkar’s research series, drawn from Calcutta Police archives)