logo
60 Lakh Died But We Don't Read About It In History Books: Ajit Doval On 1943 Bengal Famine

60 Lakh Died But We Don't Read About It In History Books: Ajit Doval On 1943 Bengal Famine

News1815-07-2025
Last Updated:
Despite the staggering death toll, estimated at around 3-6 million, the Bengal Famine remains largely absent from history textbooks and public discourse
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has raised a sharp question about one of the deadliest yet often ignored chapters of history – the Bengal Famine of 1943. Speaking at the convocation of IIT Madras on Friday, July 11, Doval pointed to the staggering scale of the disaster and asked why it finds so little space in the country's collective memory.
'In 1947, our GDP was just $20 million. Millions died of starvation during the Bengal famine. If five lakh people were to die of hunger today, the entination would rise," he said, asking why we don't talk about the Bengal incident. 'The road ahead is just as demanding. You must dedicate yourself to these next 22 years," he further said.
Doval's remarks dragged into the light a tragedy that saw people reduced to eating grass, mud, and animal waste just to stay alive. In some cases, they sold their children for a handful of rice. Within months, lakhs were dead. It wasn't a natural disaster, it was man-made.
The year was 1943. India was still under British rule, and World War II was raging. Japan had just invaded Burma, and the British feared that Bengal would be next. What followed was a series of policy decisions that turned fear into famine.
The British colonial administration seized thousands of boats in the coastal districts of Bengal to prevent their use by the Japanese military. They also emptied grain warehouses in the villages and destroyed standing crops, effectively choking off food supply lines to vast rural populations. Prices skyrocketed. Food disappeared. The people starved.
Despite the staggering death toll, estimated at around 3-6 million, the Bengal Famine remains largely absent from history textbooks and public discourse. There are no national memorials. No annual remembrance. No reckoning.
Doval underscored this erasure. 'History should not be just the story of those who won," he said, adding that it must also remember those who suffered and had no voice. For him, the famine is not just a historical footnote but a cautionary tale about the deadly consequences of political apathy and policy failure.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
view comments
First Published:
July 15, 2025, 13:03 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Israeli Leaders Consider Long-Term Gaza Takeover, Says US Senator Lindsey Graham
Israeli Leaders Consider Long-Term Gaza Takeover, Says US Senator Lindsey Graham

Time of India

time10 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Israeli Leaders Consider Long-Term Gaza Takeover, Says US Senator Lindsey Graham

US Senator Lindsey Graham has claimed that Israel is preparing to fully occupy Gaza, following a stalled peace process and failed negotiations with Hamas. Graham compared the prospective occupation to US control over Germany and Japan after World War II. He argued that no other solution would satisfy Israeli leadership, citing Israeli concerns about security and the ongoing conflict. Washington reportedly also doubts that negotiations can end the war with Hamas. The possibility of offering Hamas fighters safe passage in return for the release of Israeli hostages has been raised. Meanwhile, US officials accuse Hamas of not seeking a ceasefire. The US-backed truce plan, involving phased hostage and prisoner releases, has broken down due to differing demands. #GazaConflict #IsraelPalestine #LindseyGraham #MiddleEastNews #BreakingNews #CeasefireTalks #GazaOccupation #WarAndPeace Read More

P Chidambaram's ‘Homegrown Terrorists' Remark Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead Of Op Sindoor Debate
P Chidambaram's ‘Homegrown Terrorists' Remark Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead Of Op Sindoor Debate

India.com

time10 minutes ago

  • India.com

P Chidambaram's ‘Homegrown Terrorists' Remark Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead Of Op Sindoor Debate

New Delhi: A massive political storm has erupted ahead of the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, following remarks made by senior Congress leader and former Home Minister P. Chidambaram. In a recent interview with The Quint, Chidambaram questioned the official narrative surrounding the Pahalgam terror attack and suggested that the attackers could have been "homegrown terrorists." "Have they identified the terrorists? Where they came from? I mean, for all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There's no evidence of that," Chidambaram said, adding that the government has been unwilling to disclose what the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found so far. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, which has accused the Congress of once again 'giving a clean chit' to Pakistan. Reacting to Chidambaram's remarks, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said on X, "P Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that." "Once again, the Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan, this time after the Pahalgam terror attack. Why is it that every time our forces confront Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad's defence lawyers than India's opposition?" Malviya added. "When it comes to national security, there should be no ambiguity. But with the Congress, there never is – they always bend over backwards to protect the enemy," he said. P. Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: 'Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 27, 2025 BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed the criticism, saying, '26/11 to Surgical Strike to Pahalgam, Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath!' He accused the Congress of siding with Pakistan just hours before the crucial Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor. Chidambaram also alleged that the government is concealing details about India's counter-offensive, Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam massacre in which 26 civilians were killed in front of their families. He said the Centre was 'hiding the losses' India suffered during the operation. "They are also hiding the losses. I said it in a column that in a war, losses will occur on both sides. I understand that India would have suffered losses. Be upfront," Chidambaram said. Referencing World War II, he added: "Winston Churchill in World War II made a statement every other day. Whatever losses they suffered, Britain suffered; they made it plain. Therefore, they are reluctant to admit the losses. But losses are inevitable and natural in a war. So, admit the losses. I think they think they can put a large shroud on Operation Sindoor. It won't work." He further questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the issue: "And why is the Prime Minister not speaking on Operation Sindoor? Why do you think there's a reluctance to have a debate in the temple of democracy? That's what Parliament is. After all, Prime Minister Modi has addressed the nation. He's addressed various rallies." Chidambaram also raised questions about the ceasefire, implying that it wasn't initiated by India. "Because let's be honest, it was not the Indian government that announced it. It was Donald Trump," he claimed. Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood backed Chidambaram's statements, turning the criticism back on the government. "You stopped the forces. You brought India and Pakistan to the same level on the global stage. The terrorists are still alive. Aren't you ashamed? If the Pahalgam killers are alive, every Indian should be ashamed," Masood said. As the Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor begins, Chidambaram's comments are expected to be a major flashpoint between the ruling party and the Opposition.

"Clean Chit To Pak": BJP Slams P Chidambaram's "Homegrown Terrorists" Remark
"Clean Chit To Pak": BJP Slams P Chidambaram's "Homegrown Terrorists" Remark

NDTV

time27 minutes ago

  • NDTV

"Clean Chit To Pak": BJP Slams P Chidambaram's "Homegrown Terrorists" Remark

New Delhi: Ahead of the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, a massive political row has erupted over Congress veteran P Chidambaram's remarks in an interview, in which he said "homegrown terrorists" could be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and questioned what evidence proves that the killers came from Pakistan. The BJP has accused the Opposition party of giving a clean chit to Pakistan and said the Congress always bends over backwards to "protect the enemy". During an interview with The Quint, the former Home Minister said the government is unwilling to disclose the work NIA has done in the aftermath of the terror attack. "Have they identified the terrorists? Where they came from? I mean, for all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan? There's no evidence of that," he said. The Centre and the security establishment have maintained that the Pahalgam killers, who murdered 26 innocents in cold blood in front of other families, were Pakistan nationals. Mr Chidambaram also accused the government of "hiding the losses" during Operation Sindoor, India's counterstrike after the Pahalgam attack. "They are also hiding the losses. I said it in a column that in a war, losses will occur on both sides. I understand that India would have suffered losses. Be upfront." "Winston Churchill in World War II made a statement every other day. Whatever losses they suffered, Britain suffered, they made it plain. Therefore, they are reluctant to admit the losses. But losses are inevitable and natural in a war. So, admit the losses. I think they think they can put a large shroud on Operation Sindoor. It won't work." P. Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: 'Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do… — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 27, 2025 Mr Chidambaram asked why the government was "ducking" questions. "And why is the Prime Minister not speaking on Operation Sindhu? Why do you think there's a reluctance to have a debate in the temple of democracy? That's what Parliament is. After all, Prime Minister Modi has addressed the nation. He's addressed various rallies," he said. The Congress leader asked if the government was uncomfortable with the idea that they would be asked about how the ceasefire came about. "Because let's be honest, it was not the Indian government that announced it. It was Donald Trump," he said. The senior Congress MP's remarks have drawn a sharp response from the ruling BJP. "P Chidambaram, former UPA-era Home Minister and the original proponent of the infamous 'Saffron Terror' theory, covers himself with glory yet again: Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that," senior BJP leader Amit Malviya has said on X. "Once again, the Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan - this time after the Pahalgam terror attack. Why is it that every time our forces confront Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad's defence lawyers than India's opposition?" Mr Malviya added. "When it comes to national security, there should be no ambiguity. But with the Congress, there never is - they always bend over backwards to protect the enemy," he said. Hours before debate on Op Sindoor in Parliament- Congress rushes to clean chit Pakistan again 26/11 to Surgical Strike to Pahalgam Congress ka haath Pakistan ke saath ! — Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) July 28, 2025 BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, too, accused the Congress of giving a clean chit to Pakistan hours ahead of the Parliament debate. "26/11 to Surgical Strike to Pahalgam, Congress ka haath, Pakistan ke saath!" As the government and the Opposition prep for the big debate that begins today, Mr Chidambaram's remarks are likely to be raised on the House floor. Congress MP Imran Masood has backed Mr Chidambaram. Targeting the BJP, he said it was the government that gave a clean chit to Pakistan by agreeing to a ceasefire. "You stopped the forces. You brought India and Pakistan to the same level on the global stage. The terrorists are still alive. Aren't you ashamed? If the Pahalgam killers are alive, every Indian should be ashamed," he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store