There is growing outrage in West Bengal over a school textbook describing as “terrorism” the revolutionary acts of freedom fighters like Khudiram Bose, Prafulla Chaki and others.
Historians, politicians and descendants of nationalist leaders are appalled over a book issued by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education that has a chapter titled “Revolutionary Terrorism” describing the endeavours of freedom fighters as “santrasbaad” or “terrorism”.
“The sanctity and richness of our freedom struggle has been eroded. When even British themselves recognised these men as real freedom fighters, how can you call the first martyrs of our freedom struggle — Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki — as terrorists”, asked eminent historian Atish Dasgupta.
"Those who are terming these great men as terrorists are anti-nationals. They are not only distorting facts but are also doing great damage to the history and tradition of our freedom movement," he added.