Previous Year Question

An important feature of the Quit India Movement of 1942 was the establishment of Parallel Governments in some regions challenging British administration.

In the Tamluk subdivision of Midnapur district in Bengal, the ‘Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar’ was established on 17 December 1942. It was also known as the Tamluk National Government.

Its prominent leaders included Satis Chandra Samanta, Sushil Kumar Dhara and Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee. Satis Chandra Samanta was among the principal leaders of this parallel government.

It was not merely a symbolic organisation. It attempted to operate judicial arrangements, peace and security, revenue administration and other governmental activities parallel to the British administration.

The government also undertook cyclone relief, grants to schools and relief work. A volunteer organisation known as the Vidyut Vahini was also associated with it.

This parallel government continued to function for nearly two years, until 1944. Similar parallel authority also emerged in places such as Ballia and Satara during the Quit India Movement.