Even as more than 200 nationalists from Odisha made sacrifices for the country during the Quit India Movement in 1942, there is no clear record of the same in history books which belittles the State’s contribution to the freedom struggle.

The result is that the youngsters of the present generation are not even aware of the role of freedom-fighters from the State in getting the country liberated from the British rule. As per historical facts, around 29 people, including a woman, were shot dead and 56 others were wounded by the British police in an incident at Iram in undivided Baleswar district on September 28, 1942. This incident largely resembles the outrageous Jallianwala Bagh massacre, also known as Amritsar massacre, which took place on April 13, 1919.

Another incident had taken place at lunia in Baleswar district where nine people laid down their lives for the country. Again, three sacrificed their lives at Tudigadia Khairadihi in police firing the same year.

Besides, hundreds of people had joined the movement in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar, Dhushuri, Bhadrak, Khaira and Baleswar in the undivided district.

Similarly, 24 people were killed in police firing in undivided Koraput district and around 100 were victims of police brutality in and outside prisons.

The supreme sacrifice of young tribal leader laxman Nayak, who was hanged in a fake case by the then British Government, is a prominent case which should be cherished by the youngsters of the State. But few do. Then, the British had repeated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre at Papadahandi on the bank of Turee river in Nabarangpur district where about 5,000 followers of Mahatma Gandhi were victims of police action on August 24, 1942. As many as 19 people were killed and more than 30 others were wounded in the firing. Police brutality was also witnessed at Mathili of Malkangiri district on August 21, 1942 when five unarmed people were killed in firing. Approximately, 2,500 people were sent to jails for raising their voice against the British rule. Besides, four people became martyrs at Kaipada Kalamatia on August 26, 1942 in Jajpur district. Twenty people were wounded in police firing at Nimapada during an agitation.

Several people were tortured and over 30 were executed by the British Government in the areas like Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Nilgiri and Talcher.

Even, hundreds of students of the Cuttack Ravenshaw College and other colleges joined the freedom movement against the British rule in 1942. Around 26 patriots were jailed. Several families, even unmarried women, joined the struggle. But such incidents are not etched in the minds of youngsters today, prompting thinkers and historians to demand proper recognition of Odisha’s freedom fighters’ contributions.