“Horrors of partition of Bengal: Coming to terms with the unforgiving reality of pogrom of Hindus”, First Post, August 15, 2023:

“Seventy-six years ago, as the British, our previous colonizers, returned to their homes, Bharat had to face yet another dark phase. This was a consequence of the partition, which had fractured our land in the east and northwest. The purpose of this essay is not to dwell on the facts surrounding the partition but to focus on Direct Action Day and its aftermath in Noakhali.

The difficult times commenced with the Direct Action Day in Calcutta on 16 August, 1946. Marxist historiography made its best attempt to remove religious connotations from the incident, but the truth remains that the 18th day of Ramadan was selected for Direct Action Day due to its significance in relation to the Battle of Badr.

Let us begin by looking at how it began.

In July 1946, Muhammad Ali Jinnah held a press conference at his home in Bombay, declaring that the Muslim League was “preparing to launch a struggle” and that they “had chalked out a plan” (Halfway to Freedom by Margaret Bourke-White, page 26). On the following page of the same book, Jinnah is quoted as talking about “direct action” and warning of “bringing trouble.” The same book further informs us that the very next day, Jinnah stated as follows, indicating that August 16, 1946, would be observed as Direct Action Day…..”

Read the full article at Firstpost.com