Chennai, India chakravif@gmail.com +919962716812

Pari Bewa

(★ – 1942) – (Odisha)

Pari Bewa, from Eram, a small village in Basudevpur, Bhadrak, Odisha, India, was a female freedom fighter who played a vital role in the Quit India Movement. She is recognized as the only female martyr of Odisha, even though she had no formal education. Her personal attachment to the land motivated her to participate in the Indian independence movement.

On September 28, 1942, a large gathering was held in Eram to protest against British Raj and to plan an action against them. A police force from Basudebpur police station, led by DSP Kunjabihari Mohanty, marched towards Eram in fear of this gathering. In a manner similar to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, the DSP acted like General Dyer and opened fire on the large, peaceful crowd at 6:30 PM. Since the field was enclosed on three sides, no one could escape. Within minutes, 304 shots were fired against the protesters, resulting in 29 deaths and 56 injuries. Bewa was among those who died that day.