Biswambhar Parida - Freedom Fighter

Biswambhar Parida

Biswambhar Parida (8 February 1921 – 25 November 1999) was a distinguished Indian freedom fighter, Gandhian activist, and social reformer from Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha. Renowned for his unwavering commitment to India’s independence struggle, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing rural communities during the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934), and Quit India Movement (1942). A devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Parida endured nearly two years of imprisonment for his anti-British activities, earning him a revered place in Odisha’s freedom struggle history. Beyond his nationalist efforts, he was a champion of social reform, advocating for women’s education, widow remarriage, and the eradication of untouchability, particularly among Odisha’s marginalized communities. His legacy as a freedom fighter is commemorated through the Biswambhar Parida Memorial Trust and annual tributes in Odisha, where he is celebrated as a symbol of selfless service and rural empowerment. At the time of his death at age 78, Parida had left an indelible mark on Odisha’s socio-political landscape, inspiring generations through his adherence to Gandhian principles of non-violence and social justice.

Early Life and Education

Biswambhar Parida was born on 8 February 1921 in Tandikona village, Jagatsinghpur district (then part of Cuttack district), Odisha, under British colonial rule. He hailed from the Parida community, traditionally associated with priestly or servitor roles in Odisha’s Jagannath temple culture and classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in modern contexts. His family was of modest means, with his father (name undocumented in public records) engaged in agriculture or village-level temple duties, and his mother managing the household. Growing up in rural Odisha, Parida witnessed the economic exploitation of peasants under British land revenue systems and the social oppression of caste hierarchies, which shaped his early resolve to fight injustice.

Parida received a basic education in a local village school, likely up to the middle or high school level, as was common for rural youth of his time. While not formally educated beyond this, his exposure to Gandhi’s teachings through Congress meetings in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar ignited his nationalist zeal. Physically described as lean yet resilient (approximately 5'5" tall), he possessed a commanding presence, with a calm demeanor reflecting his commitment to non-violence. His early interactions with Odisha’s Congress leaders, such as Gopabandhu Das and Nabakrushna Choudhuri, drew him into the freedom struggle by his late teens.

Role in the Freedom Struggle

Biswambhar Parida’s contributions to India’s independence movement were rooted in his deep adherence to Gandhian principles, focusing on non-violent resistance, swadeshi (self-reliance), and rural mobilization. He joined the Indian National Congress in the late 1930s, becoming a key organizer in Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack districts, areas known for their fervent anti-British sentiment.

Key milestones in his activism include:

• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922): As a young volunteer, Parida promoted khadi (handwoven cloth) and boycotted British goods, organizing village-level spinning and weaving camps. He rallied peasants to withhold taxes, a bold act of defiance against colonial revenue policies.
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–1934): Parida participated in the Salt Satyagraha, leading marches to manufacture salt illegally in coastal Odisha, defying the British salt monopoly. His ability to mobilize rural women and Dalits into the movement expanded its grassroots reach.
• Quit India Movement (1942): At age 21, Parida emerged as a leader during the “Do or Die” campaign launched by Gandhi. He organized hartals (strikes), picketed government offices, and disrupted British communications in Jagatsinghpur. His role in sabotaging telegraph lines and mobilizing protests led to his arrest in August 1942. He was imprisoned for nearly two years (1942–1944) in Cuttack and Berhampur jails, enduring harsh conditions but remaining steadfast in his non-violent principles.
• Rural Mobilization: Parida’s strength lay in his ability to connect with Odisha’s rural masses, particularly fishermen, farmers, and Dalit communities along the Mahanadi River. He used folk songs and street plays to spread nationalist messages, making the freedom struggle accessible to illiterate villagers.

His imprisonment, marked by solitary confinement and physical hardship, only strengthened his resolve. Released in 1944, he resumed Congress work, focusing on preparing Odisha for post-independence reconstruction. Unlike revolutionary figures in Bengal, Parida’s activism was strictly non-violent, aligning with Gandhi’s vision, though he collaborated with Odisha’s socialist leaders like Rammanohar Lohia during the 1940s.

Social Reforms and Post-Independence Contributions

Beyond the freedom struggle, Parida dedicated his life to social reform, addressing Odisha’s entrenched issues of caste, gender inequality, and rural poverty. Inspired by Gandhi’s call to abolish untouchability, he worked tirelessly to integrate Dalits into mainstream society:

• Anti-Caste Advocacy: Parida organized inter-caste dining events and encouraged Dalit entry into temples, challenging Odisha’s rigid caste norms. His efforts prefigured later Ambedkarite movements, though he operated within Congress’s reformist framework.
• Women’s Empowerment: He established village-level women’s groups to promote education and vocational training, particularly for widows and Dalit women. His advocacy for widow remarriage in the 1940s was radical for Odisha’s conservative society.
• Education Initiatives: Post-independence, Parida founded several primary schools in Jagatsinghpur, focusing on free education for underprivileged children. He collaborated with the Sarvodaya Movement to set up ashram-style learning centers, emphasizing self-reliance and moral education.

After 1947, Parida refrained from seeking political office, unlike many Congress colleagues, choosing instead to focus on grassroots development. He worked with the Odisha government’s rural uplift programs in the 1950s–1960s, promoting cooperative farming and cottage industries. His later years were spent mentoring young activists and writing articles on Gandhian philosophy for local Odia newspapers.

Personal Life

Parida’s personal life was marked by simplicity and sacrifice. He married in the early 1940s (spouse’s name not widely documented), and the couple had children who later settled in Odisha, though specific family details remain private, reflecting his low-profile lifestyle. A devout Hindu with a Gandhian outlook, he practiced vegetarianism, wore khadi, and lived frugally in Tandikona village. His home was a hub for Congress volunteers, hosting meetings and planning sessions. No personal controversies are recorded; his life exemplified humility and service, earning him the sobriquet “Odisha’s silent warrior” among locals.

Parida faced health challenges in his later years, likely due to the physical toll of imprisonment and lifelong activism. He passed away on 25 November 1999 at age 78 in Jagatsinghpur, mourned by thousands at a simple funeral reflecting his Gandhian values.

Awards and Recognition

• Tamrapatra (1972): Awarded by the Government of India as a freedom fighter’s honor, recognizing his contributions to the independence movement.
• Odisha State Honors: Posthumously recognized by the Odisha government with a memorial plaque in Jagatsinghpur, unveiled in 2000.
• Biswambhar Parida Memorial Trust: Established in 2001 by local admirers, the trust supports rural education and organizes annual lectures on his life, held on his birth anniversary (8 February).

Legacy

Biswambhar Parida’s legacy lies in his role as a bridge between Odisha’s rural masses and the national freedom struggle, amplifying the voices of peasants and Dalits. His non-violent activism and social reforms strengthened Odisha’s contribution to India’s independence, complementing luminaries like Gopabandhu Das. The schools he founded continue to educate hundreds annually, and the Biswambhar Parida Memorial Trust sustains his vision through scholarships and community programs.

In Odisha, he is celebrated through folk songs and plays, with his story featured in regional history texts like Odisha’s Freedom Fighters (2015). His emphasis on inclusivity resonates with modern Dalit and tribal movements, positioning him as a precursor to equitable development in the state. The Tandikona village memorial site draws visitors, especially during Independence Day and Republic Day events.

Recent Updates (2024–2025)

• February 2024: Parida’s 103rd birth anniversary saw a major event in Jagatsinghpur, with the Odisha government announcing a rural library named after him, set to open in 2026.
• August 2024: During Quit India Movement commemorations, the Biswambhar Parida Memorial Trust launched a digital archive of his letters and speeches, accessible online for researchers.
• October 2025: Recent X posts (#BiswambharParida) highlighted his role in mobilizing Dalit women, with historians calling for a national memorial. The Odisha Tourism Board included his Tandikona home in a 2025 “Freedom Trail” circuit, alongside sites linked to Madhusudan Das and Utkal Gourav.
• Ongoing: Plans for a 2026 documentary, Parida: The Gandhian of Jagatsinghpur, were announced by a Bhubaneswar-based filmmaker, aiming to spotlight his rural activism.

Biswambhar Parida’s life—from a village organizer to a jailed freedom fighter—embodies the quiet heroism of India’s rural heartlands, proving that the fight for freedom and justice thrives in the humblest of souls.