Objection to rename Bangiya Saha Samiti Chhatrabas in Shahid Gopinath Saha’s name

The Secretary

Bangiya Saha Samiti

52B Indian Mirror St.

Kolkata 700013

Date: February 2, 2023

Subject: Your proposal to make Bangiya Saha Samiti Chhatrabas in the name of Shahid Gopinath Saha

Dear Sir,

  We have seen the notice concerning the above proposal for the meeting to be held on 1st March 2023. In this connection we would like to state the following.

This Chhatrabas was made by the great visionary Humanist and Benevolent late Shri MOHITOSH SAHA with his own money and enormous effort. Initially he accommodated the poor students in his own house at 5/2 Wellesley St., Calcutta 13. Thereafter, when Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution was not getting a publishing house for his books because of his work for the backward communities of India, Mr. MOHITOSH SAHA came forward and decided to start a publishing house in the big hall where those students are housed. He then purchased an old 2 storied building at 52B Indian Mirror St, Calcutta 13 with his own money, raised it to 4 stories using his high civil engineering knowledge and expertise. He let out the first and 2nd floor for earning some fund for Chhatrabas. In the 3rd floor he set up the Chhatrabas.

Thus this Chhatrabas came into existence because of Shri MOHITOSH SAHA only.

Shri MOHITOSH SAHA during his life time had many result oriented activities due to which people came benefitted enormously. One such activity is the acceptance of SUNRI community as scheduled caste by the Government of India where he took the leading role.

In another crucial work; when Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not getting a seat from anywhere in India because of his work for the backward communities, Shri MOHITOSH SAHA succeeded in getting Dr. Ambdker a seat in West Bengal with the help of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy and Shri Atulya Ghosh. In this way he had done innumerable result oriented works.

Finally we would like to state that BANGIYA SAHA SAMITY CHHATRABAS MUST NOT BE NAMED IN THE NAME OF SHAHID GOPINATH SAHA OR IN ANYBODY ELSE’S NAME. THIS WILL HIDE AND OUTSHINE THE LEGENDARY MOHITOSH SAHA’S NAME.

IF THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO HONOUR SHAHID GOPINATH SAHA then they can put inside the building GOPBINATH’s life history and works. Then people will come to know about his works properly: the ideology he held, his guru, and the team of people he used to move about, who was TEGART SAHEB and why he wanted to kill him. All these information are relevant and will give positive knowledge about Gopinath Saha to the readers; particularly the resident students are now in their formative years of life and they should have proper and accurate information.Actually Shahid Gopinath Saha had nothing to do with Bangiya Saha Samiti. Gopinath Saha was executed on 1st March, 1924 and Bangiya Saha Samiti was formed in 1936- 1937. Chhatrabas was made much later. Hence putting up the life history on the wall will be more meaningful. A brief life history of the creator of this Chhatrabas can also be put up on the wall.Regarding the poster painted on the leftside gate it is suggested that the line containing the name of Gopinath Saha be removed. Instead the following narrative ( আমাদের গৌরব বীর বিপ্লবী গোপীনাথ সাহা ) be displayed on the right-side gate for attracting notice of general public or any passersby. His photo from left-side gate be transferred to the right-side gate. Please see the attached illustration photo.

A list of signatories of this petition is given in the pages to follow. Additional signatures can be found in the online petition in www.petitions.net.

 Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of our proposal and request you to take prompt action. For further assistance please contact- Dr. Gouranga Prasad Saha (Ph: 90829 54488; address: CK 73,Near Water Tank no. 9, Sector 2, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091)

                                                   Yours Faithfully,

Mrs. Kalyani Saha, B.A.(Hons), Daughter of Late Mohitosh Saha

Mrs. Shibani Saha, Daughter of Late Mohitosh Saha

Dr. Pabitra Kumar Saha, Ph.D., P. E., M.ASCE, M.AISC, M.ACIProfessor and Chair of Civil Engineering (Retired)Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA

                                       Son of Late Mohitosh Saha

Dr Gouranga Prasad Saha Ph D (UK) MICE (Lond), MACI (USA) (By Invitation), Recipient of prestigious SB Joshi Memorial Award for most outstanding bridge and structural engineer in whole of India for 2016; Chief Engineer and Head of Dept of Hindustan Construction Co (Retd), Presently Executive Director of Construma Consultancy Pvt Ltd

                             Son-in-law of Late Mohitosh Saha

Mrs. Sikha Saha,B.Sc., M.S.(USA), Daughter-in-law of Late Mohitosh Saha

Mr. Sourav Saha, LLM, Advocate,

               Great Great Grandson of Late Mahitosh Saha

Dr. Gouranga Prasad Saha    Contact the author of the petition