On Wednesday, 12 November 2025, at 3:30 PM, a discussion meeting and cultural program were held to mark the birth centenary of Ila Mitra, the revolutionary leader of the Tebhaga Movement. The event was organized by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) at the Anwara Begum–Munira Khan Auditorium of the organization’s central office (Sufia Kamal Bhaban, 10/B/1, Segunbagicha, Dhaka).
The program was presided over by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of BMP. The welcome address was delivered by Shima Moslem, Joint General Secretary of the organization. The discussants included Khushi Kabir, Chief Coordinator of Nijera Kori; Dr. Makhduma Nargis, Vice President of the Central Committee of BMP; Professor Ishani Chakraborty of the Department of History, University of Dhaka; and Alamgir Hossain, Coordinator of Bohnishikha ,Green Voice.
At the beginning of the program, leaders of BMP and invited guests paid floral tributes to the portrait of Ila Mitra, the revolutionary leader of the Tebhaga Movement. Following the tribute, a documentary titled “Ranimā”, highlighting Ila Mitra’s revolutionary life and her leadership in the Tebhaga Movement, was screened. After the documentary, poetry recitations were performed by Professor Bhaswar Bandopadhyay of Stamford University and recitation artist Nayla Tarannum Chowdhury. A musical performance was presented by Suraiya Parvin, Editor for Music and Dance of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, along with her team.
Shima Moslem stated that gaining the trust of peasants and Santal communities was the key to Ila Mitra’s leadership in the Tebhaga Movement. By living among them, learning their ways of life, and building relationships, she earned their trust and emerged as a leader of the movement. However, due to communalism and her identity as a woman, she faced brutal oppression and torture while leading the movement. Despite immense struggle, resistance, and persecution, she never deviated from her ideals—an example that remains inspirational for today’s women’s movement activists.
As a discussant, Khushi Kabir said that Ila Mitra is a legend for all of us and a source of inspiration in her own professional journey. Discussing Ila Mitra is especially relevant in the current context. Even after 50 years, her deep influence as Ranimā can still be felt in Nachole. Yet, she never worked for self-promotion or personal publicity.
Dr. Makhduma Nargis, Vice President of BMP, noted that Ila Mitra came from a well-off family and was a skilled politician, organizer, and athlete. She became a member of the Communist Party at the age of only 18. Alongside socialism, she upheld democratic values. At a time of profound crises, when there are few role models to look up to, personalities like Ila Mitra offer a ray of hope.
Professor Ishani Chakraborty of the University of Dhaka stated that the Tebhaga Movement, Nachole, and Ila Mitra are inextricably linked. A woman of multifaceted talents, Ila Mitra left a mark of success wherever she worked. Through the Tebhaga Movement, she was able to organize various marginalized groups in the struggle for farmers’ rights and earned their trust. In Nachole, she became known as Ranimā. Over the course of the movement, her individual courage inspired collective courage. She emphasized that remembering Ila Mitra is not enough; her ideals must be embodied in our work and practiced in our lives.
Alamgir Hossain, Coordinator of Bohnishikha Green Voice, said that Ila Mitra symbolized multidimensional excellence. Her life was marked by both immense glory and extreme suffering. It was a remarkable saga of sacrifice dedicated to securing the rights of oppressed people. Every young person of this generation needs to know about Ila Mitra, as her life remains a powerful source of inspiration.
Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of BMP, stated that although the country achieved freedom from British colonial rule, communalism has persisted. Today, various forms of violence and hatred stem from communalism. To transform this violent and hateful society, movements against communalism must be strengthened. She also stressed that young people must engage more deeply with social issues. She further noted that the root of patriarchy lies in power structures embedded within families and society. To dismantle patriarchy, these power structures must first be broken. In movements to challenge such structures, marginalized communities must be united with members of civil society and the educated.
Ila Mitra once said, “Women’s liberation is inherent within socialism.” However, how women’s liberation will be realized within socialism requires deeper reflection and concrete action.
Representatives from Nisshankoch Foundation, YWCA of Bangladesh, Working Women Refugee and Migratory Movement Resource Unit (RAMRU), Green Voice Bohnishikha, Secretaries, editorial members, officials of BMP, and journalists from print and electronic media were present at the event. The program was moderated by Saraban Tahura, Publication Editor of BMP.
