The president said this while unveiling statues of freedom fighters Ajoy Mukherjee, Satish Chandra Samanta and Sushil Kumar Dhara, who were instrumental in forming a Tamralipta National Government -- a parallel government during the 1942 'Quit India' movement -- here in East Midnapore district.
"After the 1942 movement, Gandhi-ji received a complaint that those who formed the Tamralipta National Government in Tamluk could not be fully non-violent and had to resort to violence at times," said Mukherjee.
"Gandhi-ji had immense faith in Ajoy-da and Satish-da. He thought this was not possible but those who had made the complaint were respected Congress leaders. So Gandhi-ji thought of conducting an inquiry.
"Some people suggested Ajoy-da should lie to Gandhi-ji. But Sushil-da said: 'No. I have to tell everything to him. That is why we had to resort to violence and then whatever punishment he decides will be acceptable'," Mukherjee said.
"Satish-da then told Gandhi-ji that they could bear everything but not mass rapes, which broke all their forbearance and compelled some to resort to violence.
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"After confirming about the rapes from the women, Gandhi-ji came back to them with moist eyes and said: "Satish, I cannot blame you. But I would have been happier had the incidents not happened'. Such personalities where they," he said.