New Delhi, Aug 15: In the night between August 14 and 15, 1947, when the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was making the famous – “While the whole world was sleeping…..” speech, 78- year- old Mahatma Gandhi was walking along the alleys of the then Calcutta with the plead to stop communal violence.
According to History, on August 15, 1947, when the Day of Independence finally arrived, it was relished all over the nation. But, Mahatma was worried and trying hard to end the communal violence that stemmed from the partition.
“To me, peace between Hindus and Muslims is more important than the declaration of independence” were the words from him then.
The Father of the Nation also refused to participate in any celebration.
“I cannot rejoice on August 15. I do not want to deceive you. But at the same time, I shall not ask you not to rejoice. Unfortunately, the kind of freedom we have got today contains also the seeds of future conflict between India and Pakistan. How can you, therefore, light the lamps?” asked Gandhi.
History says that on August 9, 1947 – (unveiling of the ‘Quit India’ Movement), Gandhi arrived in Calcutta with plans to move to Noakhali (now in Bangladesh), which was ripped apart by communal massacre and violence.
Some of the leading figures then urged Gandhi not to stay in then East Bengal as they felt if Gandhi could bring peace to Calcutta, peace would be restored in all of Bengal.
Mahatma then decided to stay at Hyderi Manzil, close to a Muslim dominated slum at Miabagan area.
From August 13 onwards, Gandhi began efforts to pacify people of either community to end the violence.
The angry mobs refused to bow down, but Gandhi continued his efforts.
After a few days , Mahatma’s efforts yielded results and were turned to reality.
Noting this, Lord Mountbatten also revered Gandhi’s “role” in containing communal violence in West Bengal.
The last Viceroy of India also wrote, “In Punjab, we have 55 thousand soldiers, but large-scale rioting on our hands. In Bengal, our forces consist of one man, and there is no rioting.”
Historical data suggesting that Mahatma Gandhi was “conspicuous of absence” in Delhi on August 15, 1947, came amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Nation from the Red Fort on Saturday.
The country is celebrating the 74th Independence Day today with due solemnity.
Where was Mahatma Gandhi on August 15, 1947?
