On November 7, 1939, the sub-divisional town of Habiganj—then part of Sylhet district under British India’s Assam Province, now in Bangladesh—witnessed a remarkable political moment. Subhas Chandra Bose, President of the All India Congress Committee and later revered as “Netaji,” arrived in the town, leaving a lasting imprint on its political and social landscape.
At a time when Bharat independence movement was intensifying, Bose’s visit to Habiganj reflected a deliberate effort to engage not only major urban centers but also smaller, politically active towns. His presence underscored the importance of grassroots mobilization in shaping the broader anti-colonial struggle.
Upon arrival, Netaji was received at the residence of Congress leader Dr. Naren Ray, where he held a private meeting with local leaders. These discussions were followed by the centerpiece of the visit: a large public reception at Shirish Tala ground, organized by the town’s civic community. The gathering drew a significant crowd and turned the town into a vibrant hub of political energy.
Public enthusiasm reached a striking high point with a bicycle procession led by noted cultural figure Hemanga Biswas. Nearly two thousand cyclists traveled from Shayestaganj to Habiganj, creating a vivid display of collective support for the national movement.
The reception brought together a wide array of prominent figures. Among them were Sri Shish Chandra Dutta, a member of the Central Legislative Assembly and a member of the distinguished Dutta family of Lakhai; Congress leader Advocate Dharmadas Dutta; freedom fighter Nagendra Chandra Dutta; and Netaji’s personal secretary, Advocate Ananga Kumar Ray. Also present were Hemanga Biswas, Comrade Adam Ali, Suresh Chandra Biswas, Suresh Chandra Dutta, Suresh Chandra Ray, Syed Emdadul Haque of Poil village, Gopendra Lal Das Chowdhury, Dr. Gopesh Chandra Biswas, Kumudananda Bhattacharya, Nikhil Mitra, Pranesh Biswas, Chuni Nag, and Benu Nag.
The event was further marked by the presence of influential figures from Assam’s provincial political sphere, including Rai Bahadur Advocate Hem Chandra Dutta and Advocate Shivendra Chandra Biswas, both members of the Assam Parliament.
On the stage, Netaji was welcomed with floral tributes by footballer Bhupendra Kumar Ray Chowdhury and Comrade Srikanta Das. The formal address of honor was read by Hemanga Biswas, adding a ceremonial and emotional dimension to the gathering.
As part of his visit, Netaji also attended a luncheon at the residence of Akhil Chandra Dutta, then Chairman of Habiganj Municipality and a prominent member of the historic Dutta family of Lakhai. Such engagements reflected the close ties between national leadership and regional society during the independence movement.
At the time, Habiganj was an important sub-division within Sylhet district. Today, it stands as a recognized district in Bangladesh’s Sylhet Division. Yet the memory of Netaji’s visit remains a significant, though often overlooked, chapter in its history.
Revisiting this episode offers a broader understanding of the geography of the freedom movement. It highlights how towns like Habiganj played a vital role in sustaining the struggle—demonstrating that the drive for independence extended far beyond major political centers and was deeply rooted in local communities.
