Gopal Patha: The Unsung Hero of 1946 Kolkata Riots Who’s Back in the Spotlight Thanks to ‘The Bengal Files’
In the heart of Kolkata, a name from the past is suddenly everywhere. Gopal Mukherjee, better known as Gopal Patha, was once just a footnote in history books. But now, thanks to the buzz around the banned film The Bengal Files, this brave Hindu leader from the violent 1946 riots is capturing the attention of young Bengalis and history buffs alike.
Flashback to 1946: The All-India Muslim League’s ‘Direct Action Day’ sparked horrific riots in Kolkata. Muslim mobs targeted Hindu communities, leading to mass slaughter and chaos. That’s when Gopal Patha stepped up. Born in 1913 into a Bengali Hindu family, he earned his nickname from owning two mutton shops—’Patha’ refers to a tasty local goat breed in Bengali. Rumors say he was a butcher himself, but no solid proof backs that up.
Gopal Patha didn’t sit back. He rallied local youth, arming them with meat cleavers and swords to fight off the attackers. Historians credit him with organizing resistance that protected many Hindus during the Kolkata Killings. Some even call him the man who saved Calcutta from falling completely to the Muslim League’s violence. It’s a bold claim, and one that sparks debate, but it highlights his fearless stand against the 1946 Hindu genocide in Kolkata.
Fast forward to today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned Gopal Patha at a 2024 Lok Sabha election rally in Kolkata’s Esplanade, hailing him as a Hindu braveheart. Back then, the name didn’t ring many bells with Gen Z Bengalis. But everything changed with The Bengal Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri. The movie dives deep into the 1946 riots and puts Gopal Patha’s story front and center. Actor Sourav Das shines as the lead, earning praise from critics for bringing this forgotten hero to life.
So why the sudden fame? The film faced major backlash. West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) raised objections to its content, leading to silent threats and an unofficial ban on screenings. Protests and controversies have made The Bengal Files a hot topic, and in the process, Gopal Patha’s name has gone viral. People across Bengal are now digging into the history of the 1946 Kolkata Riots, turning him into a household name as an "unsung Hindu hero."
City historian R. Dutta explains it perfectly: "Gopal Patha was mostly known as the trusted aide to West Bengal’s first Chief Minister, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. But this movie controversy has sparked curiosity, especially among the youth. They’re now reading up on the 1946 massacres. It’s a classic case of how film bans can accidentally spotlight hidden history."
This isn’t the first time a movie has clashed with the TMC government. Remember The Kerala Story? Director Sudipto Sen’s film got blocked in West Bengal theaters, even after a court order. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari slams the Mamata Banerjee regime, saying movie bans are routine if the plot doesn’t align with the ruling party’s views.
The drama doesn’t stop there. Sourav Das, who played Gopal Patha, joined TMC in 2021 but is now facing backlash from the party. Leaders say he’s no longer connected to them. Meanwhile, actor Saswata Chatterjee, who portrayed a Muslim leader in the film, claims he only knew bits of the story and wasn’t aware of the full plot.
As debates rage on about The Bengal Files and its ban in West Bengal, Gopal Patha’s legacy from the 1946 riots lives on. In a state rich with history, this controversy might just be rewriting how we remember our heroes.
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