India became independent on August 15, 1947. It was a mix of happiness and challenges. We were breaking free from British rule, but our country also split into two. Now, it’s been 76 years since we got our freedom.
Independence isn’t just about breaking free from foreign control and having our own government. It’s also about how people live their lives openly and with tolerance. While we gained independence 76 years ago, our way of thinking hasn’t fully changed. True independence is having an open-minded attitude. This isn’t meant as criticism, but as a realization for all Indians.
India is making economic progress, but we also need social changes for a truly better society. Let’s simplify it: Independence means more than political freedom; it’s about how we think and treat each other. To become a better society, we must embrace open-mindedness and inclusivity alongside our economic growth.
Now let’s start with the story:
Background:
In 1857 the revolt had been raised in India. Rani Lakshmi Bai, Nana Saheb Peshwa, Tatya Tope, Begam Hajrat Mahal, Kunwar Singh, General Bakhat Khan was fight against Company Rule in the leadership of Bahadur Shaha Jafar.
The revolt was example of Hindu Muslim unity. All people whether Hindu or Muslim had fought against British for our Nation. It was the incidence which payed as an eye opener role for British. After the revolt rule of east India Company had ended and rule of British raj had begun.
British realized that if all fight together then it is impossible to rule on India. Therefore, British had introduced the policy of divide and rule. It was the time when people believed all are equal and not had hate regarding to other religion.
History of partition:
Partition had not been incurred over a night. Root of Partition had deeply laid in the history of India. Let’s understand the history first.
British had introduced the divide and rule policy in India. Meanwhile, British had allotted the work to loyal Indians of British which includes Sayyad Ahemad Khan and Shiv Prasad. In 1887 Sayyad Ahemad Khan started to delivered hate speeches against Congress. He always opposed the fair demands raised by congress and appeal Muslim people to stay away from congress. He was the 1st person who proposed 2 nation theories first. He had supported British rule and asked people to do the same.
By early 1900s a section of elite Muslims in the country believed in 2 nation theory very strongly. Because of that Muslim league was established in year 1906. To support divide and rule policy British also supports the organization.
In year 1909 British had approved separate electorate for Muslims through Indian Council Act 1909. Further approved separate electorates for Sikhs, Europeans and Anglo Indians by British through Indian Council Act 1919. Hindu people thought that we were neglected and felt paranoid. Therefore, Hindu league had been established named Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha. In year 1925 Rastriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) also established. It resulted into more bitterness in Hindus and Muslims.
Till that time Hindus were thought that Hindus are in danger because population of Muslim’s are rose rapidly. They thought that Muslim’s will take control over Indian continent. On the other hand Muslim thought that Hindu’s will control Indian continent and because of that Muslium’s are in danger.
British had presented distorted version of history in which they showed how Hindu’s were resisting the Muslim rules in History.
The fear and insecurity of the people turned into communal riots happened in year 1920. Riots were uncommon at that time. It was the first time when riots were happened.
Different Ideologies of leaders:
There were 3 ideology presented in the society.
1. Nationalist Hindu’s: Nationalist Hindus” typically refers to individuals or groups who identify themselves as adherents of the Hindu religion and also hold strong nationalist beliefs.
2. Hindu Nationalist: Hindu nationalism, often referred to as Hindutva, is an ideology that seeks to promote the interests of Hindus and advance the idea of Hindu identity
3. Nationalist Muslim: The term “Nationalist Muslim” refers to individuals or groups who identify themselves as adherents of the Islamic faith and also hold strong nationalist beliefs, often tied to a specific country or region.
4. Muslim Nationalist: Muslim Nationalism” refers to an ideology that centers around the promotion of the interests of Muslims
There are several leaders were in India who followed different ideologies as follows:
Nationalist Hindu | Nationalist Muslim | Hindu Nationalist | Muslim Nationalist |
Lokmanya TilakSubhash Chandra BoseMahatma Gandhi | Mulana AzadKhan Abul Gafar Khan | Savrakar | JinnaRehaman Ali |
Partition had been happened due to leaders were been struggled among these three ideologies.
Some organizations like “All India Azad Muslim conference” was of the opinion partition of India should not happen. Slogans of the organization were “we are Indians and India is our home”.
In year 1933 Ahmad Ali was the 1st demanded the separate country for Muslim’s named Pakistan. He had published the pamphlet “now or never, are we to live or perish forever”. He demanded 5 regions (Sindh, Baluchistan, Kashmir, Afghan and Panjab) of India for new Muslim country.
In year 1937 new nation resolution had been adopted in Hindu Mahasabha in Ahmadabad.
Muslim League had admitted that wanted to separate nation rather than federation. In year 1940 Lahore session of Muslim league, wish of making Pakistan had been adopted as a resolution. All India Azad Muslim Conference had protested against the resolution and rose voiced as Pakistan Murdabad.
In year 1945 elections had conducted in UK and Winston Churchill replaced by left wing labour party politician President Clement Attlee. He was the one not in the support of partition of India. He opposed to partition. In 1943, Linlithgow is also replaced by Mr. Archibald Wavell. The Cabinet Mission was to be proposed by President Clement Attlee. Cabinet Mission had proposed to divide India into groups A, B, C and Princely states. As per the plan Central government will only have defence, foreign affairs, and communications department in control.
Jawaharlal Nehru had opposed the Cabinet Mission. Muhammad Ali Jinnah had supported to the mission.
All leaders were not agreed to mission. Therefore, the proposed cabinet mission never approved. On the said situation Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel said that, “Nobody likes the division of India, and my heart is heavy, but the choice is between one division and many division.
In the end, following Jinnah’s wish and considering India’s circumstances back then, the country was split into two: India and Pakistan. During this partition, there were violent clashes, mobs attacked people, and many lost their lives. Terrible events, like the Petition, happened, and people had to move from one place to another. Women suffered, and cases of mob violence were reported. It was a tough time in Indian history. Gandhi Ji tried to control the valiance and maintain the peace in country.
Conclusion:
Insecurity and fear caused the partition in India’s history. We should learn from it. India is a country where all religions are respected. People should think in a way that respects everyone’s beliefs. Some politicians spread doubts and fear about different groups for their own benefit. But this hurts ordinary people.
- Huge Massacre in Bangladesh
- The problem of unemployment in India
- Bangladesh is burning!!
- Know truth behind the emergency in 1974!
- Know about fundamental rights as per Indian Constitution