Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

FREEDOMMOVEMENT

COMMUNAL MASSACRES

The communal massacres after Indian independence were the direct result of the Radcliffe Award (17th Aug 1947). Soon after the announcement of the Rad- cliffe Award, a determined campaign to drive out the Hindus and Sikhs was evident all over the Punjab. Serious disturbances occured in Lahore, Shikharipura, Sialkot and Gujamawala districts. Soon communal frenzy engulfed the people on both sides of the border. The com- plete breakdown of the civil government was at the root of this fearful turn of events. Mas- sacre, arson and loot on an unprecedented scale were committed and about a million Hindus and Sikhs and an equal number of Muslims migrated in the opposite direction.

conditions of indescribable horror and mis- ery........... They witnessed their near and dear ones hacked to pieces before their eyes............... The tragedy was that for the most part it was women, children and the aged who were the victims.... "

"I SHALL PUT MATTERS RIGHT OR DIE IN THE PROCESS" -Gandhi National Herald -15, Sept, 1947 The Congress Working Committee re- minded the people that 'India is a land of many religions and many races and must remain so' and assured full protection to minorities. It also promised all help to the refugees from Pakistan. Gandhiji's heroic effort to restore communal harmony was not liked by many. The result was that Gandhiji was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic, on his way to prayer meet- ing on 30th January 1948. “With Gandhiji's death the light has gone out and there is darkness everywhere. And while we pray, the greatest prayer that we can offer is to take a pledge to dedicate ourselves to the Truth and to the cause for which this great countryman of ours lived. ............ and for which he had died. ......." (Jawaharlal Nehru after Gandhi's assassination).

"8 LAKH CONVOY ARRIVES IN INDIA"

National Herald 17, Sept, 1947

'Stern warning by Nehru'

National Herald 20, Sept, 1947

While the north was in the throes of a communal holocaust, the rest of India remained comparatively peaceful. The situation in Bengal could be handled by Gandhi "the one-man boundary force.” He left Calcutta only after the leaders of all communities pledged themselves to peace. Gandhi, meanwhile started visiting the refugee camps, consoling the riot victims. The Indian troops fought side by side with the people - Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs united under Sheikh Abdullah's (the leader of the National conference) leadership. In March 1948 a popular government under him was formed. The Nizam of Hyderabad even after pro- longed negotiations with India, made prepara- tions to announce the independence of his state or its accession to Pakistan. Accession of Kashmir and Hyderabad

"25 Lakh Non-Muslims Leave West Punjab"

National Herald, 19, Sept, 1947

"The uprooted millions were in a terrible mental state .......They had been driven under

Except Junagadh, Kashmir and Hydera- bad all other Indian states had acceded to the union by 15th Aug. 1947. The Nawab of Junagadh was unwilling to join the Indian Union and prepared to accede his region to Pakistan. Indian troops protected the Junagadh state and by a plebiscite it was acceded to the Indian union. The Maharaja of Kashmir was undecided on the question of accession. In Oct. 1947 ‘Pakistan's threat to Kashmir, Demand for change of policy ’ 'Warning of Greatest consequences' National Herald - 23 Oct. 1947

"MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST HYDERABAD IF NECESSARY" Nehru condemns present Regime.

Hindustan Times, 26 July 1948

"Independent Hyderabad Not possible union wants peaceful solution"

The Indian troops entered Hyderabad to restore order. By 17th September 1948 the Indian troops crushed the rebellion and the action in Hyderabad ended without much resistance. The formal accession of Hydera- bad to the Indian union took place in Nov. 1949. Thus the accession of Junagadh, Kashmir and Hyderabad brought the movement of the states people to a successful conclusion, completing the process of the political unifi- cation of independent India.

- says Nehru

Hindustan Times - 7 June 1948

Pakistani trained Pathan tribesmen in- vaded Srinagar, in order to repel the invasion, Maharaja of Kashmir on 26th October ac- cepted the accession.