Amit Shah’s Rally Echoes Forgotten Tale Of Gopal Mukherjee’s Defence Of Hindus

Gopal Mukherjee, popularly known as Gopal Patha, is once again at the centre of public attention.

During an election rally in Kolkata earlier this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to him as a brave Hindu leader who defended his community during the violent events of 1946, yet many younger Bengalis had never heard his name before.

That has now changed dramatically. Following the release of The Bengal Files, a film portraying the 1946 Calcutta riots and banned from screening in West Bengal, Mukherjee’s story has become a talking point in households and political circles alike.

The film’s portrayal of Gopal Patha has sparked controversy, particularly a line in the trailer referring to him as a ‘butcher’.

His family, especially his grandson, has objected strongly to this description, stating that it misrepresents both his life and legacy.

They claim that Mukherjee was not a butcher by profession but a mutton seller and a community organiser who took up arms to protect Hindus during the communal violence that broke out in August 1946.

Known for leading a resistance group, he reportedly armed local youths with cleavers and swords to defend their neighbourhoods from mobs in response to attacks launched during Direct Action Day, called by the All-India Muslim League.

From History Books to the Big Screen

Until recently, Mukherjee’s story remained confined to research papers and oral accounts.

Historians have seldom acknowledged his actions in Bengal’s mainstream political narrative.

The release of The Bengal Files has prompted a re-evaluation of his legacy—though it remains controversial.

Interestingly, the actor who portrayed Gopal Patha in the film, Sourav Das, has also come under fire.

Once affiliated with the Trinamool Congress, Das now finds himself distanced from the party, with leaders publicly claiming they no longer associate with him.

The West Bengal government’s stance on the film has further fuelled debate.

Critics argue that this is not the first instance where a politically inconvenient film has faced restrictions in the state.

The controversy has made many question how selective memory and political considerations shape the public’s understanding of history.

Historians suggest that Mukherjee’s re-emergence is a classic example of how cinema—whether controversial or not—can serve as a powerful tool in reviving forgotten figures.

Once a name buried in academic texts, Gopal Patha is now seen by many as an ‘unsung Hindu hero’ who, in their view, helped save Calcutta from descending further into communal chaos.

Also Read: PM Modi To Launch ₹18,530 Crore Infrastructure Projects In Assam Today