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Palani Pal was born in 1916 into a poor family in Rayer Bagh village of Dhaka district, in undivided India. His parents were Situ Pal and Ananta Bala Devi. After finishing his primary education at Taltala Bazar school, poverty forced him to abandon further studies and help his father in farming. A skilled stick-fighter, Palani had to shoulder full family responsibilities at the young age of sixteen years after his father’s death.

His betel-nut shop in Taltala Bazar became a meeting point for revolutionary leaders like Amulya Kanta Das, Kanai Banik, Lalu Bose and Fatik Bose, whose patriotism deeply inspired him. He soon began training others in stick-fighting within secret societies.

In 1942, Palani actively participated in the Quit India Movement following Mahatma Gandhi’s call of “Karenge Ya Marenge.” During the agitation, colonial telephone wires in Taltala Bazar were cut, ing a police crackdown. Palani was arrested when police opened fire on his shop and was imprisoned in the Dhaka Central Jail, where he forged a close bond with fellow freedom fighter Amulya Kanta Dutta. He was released in April 1943.

After independence, Palani settled in Choprajhar, Islampur, Uttar Dinajpur with his wife Kamala Devi and dedicated his life to public service. Palani Pal passed away in 1995, honoured with a freedom fighter’s pension for his sacrifices.

Pension order issued by the Government of India in 1989.

Source: Soumen Pal, Contributor for CCRT.