Upendranath Barman

Early Life

Upendranath Barman was born on 1 December 1899 in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. He graduated from Victoria College, Cooch Behar and then studied law at University Law College, Calcutta.

He practiced law for a few years in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. He then began his public career as the Vice-Chairman of the Jalpaiguri Municipality.

Role in India’s Independence Movement

Barman was a member of the Indian National Congress and was elected to the Bengal Legislative Assembly (1936 to 1945). Barman served as a Minister of the Congress Coalition Cabinet in the state of Bengal (1941 and 1943). Details of his career political career are unknown. 

We know more about this participation in social movements. He experienced caste discrimination as a young adult which inspired him to work for the rights of backward classes. He served as an active member of the Kshatriya Samiti – an organization that advocated for the abolition of the zamindari system.

Barman believed that education was the means by which backward classes could uplift themselves. He was vocal about the need for free and compulsory primary education and served as the President and Vice President of various high schools in Jalpaiguri.

Contribution to Constitution Making

Barman was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly from West Bengal through a Congress Party ticket. He actively participated in the debates, especially those involving minority rights. 

Later Contributions

In 1948, he represented India at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, London, and the International Rice Commission, Rangoon in 1950. 

Barman died on 7 February 1988.

Key Writings

Barman wrote two books on the Rajbanshi Community: History of the Rajbhanshi Community and History of Rajbhanshi Literature.