Harekrushna Mahatab

Harekrushna Mahatab

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Category: Politics

Harekrushna Mahatab Profile

  • Name:
  • Harekrushna Mahatab
  • Born:
  • November 21, 1899
  • Died:
  • January 2, 1987

Harekrushna Mahatab Biography

Harekrushna Mahatab was a politician and freedom fighter, who served as the first Chief Minister of Odisha twice, the first term begun just before Indian independence. He served his first term as chief minister during 1946-1950 and for the second time in 1956-1961, thus completing two 5-year terms. Popularly known by the sobriquet "Utkal Keshari", he was a leading figure in India’s freedom struggle movement from the state of Odisha. He lived during the period, 21 November 1899 – 2 January 1987.

 

Harekrushna Mahtab hailed from Agarpada village, Bhadrak, British India on 21 November 1899. Krushna Charan Das and Tohapha Debi were his parents. He was born into in an aristocratic Khandayat family. He completed his matriculation examination from Bhadrak High School, and then pursued his graduation from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. However he discontinued his studies in 1921 to join freedom struggle movement, and became a prominent political figure from Odisha later. He was arrested and got jailed for the first time in 1922.

 

After his release, he served as the Chairman of Balasore District Board for 5 years since 1924. He got imprisoned for the second time in 1930 when he participated in Salt Satyagraha. He became General Officer Commanding of Congress Sevadal for the AICC session at Puri in 1932. But the party gotbanned and he was arrested for the third time. When revolts for temple entry created waves across India in the early 1930s, he stood against untouchability. He was also the first person from the state of Odisha who opened an ancestral temple to lower castes. He participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and was imprisoned from 1942 to 1945. Very soon he became the first chief minister of the state in 1946.

Published: July 18, 2018

Updated: July 18, 2018

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