AUGUST 14...
“...the Government of India has decided to declare 14th August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in remembrance of the people who lost their lives during the partition.
“Therefore, the Government of India declares 14th August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to remind the present and future generations of Indians of the pain and suffering faced by the people of India during the partition,” the notification said.
Welcoming the PM’S decision, Union home minister Amit Shah said: “The wound of the partition of the country and the grief of losing loved ones cannot be described in words. I am sure that Partition Horrors Remembrance Day will strengthen peace, love and unity by eliminating the ill-will of discrimination and malice from society.”
Thanking the PM, defence minister Rajnath Singh said this decision to remember the sacrifice of the people during the Partition is a “testament to his sensitivity”. August 14 is also the day that Pakistan celebrates as its Independence Day.
Commenting on the decision, Vijay Chauthaiwale, incharge, foreign affairs department of the BJP, said it was time to acknowledge the horrors of Partition and the violence that ensued after India and Pakistan were carved out as two countries in 1947.
“This is a long overdue recognition that Partition had resulted in violence, displacement of millions of people, incidents of killing and rape of those who came from the present-day Pakistan. The stories are still vivid and observing this day is a recognition of their sacrifices. PM Modi has shown tremendous courage by acknowledging the same,” Chauthaiwale said.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, has been observing August 14 as the Akhand Bharat Divas to commemorate the Unified India.
BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Partition remains a “gaping hole” in the soul of India.
“Announcing August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is a rightful tribute to the struggles and sacrifices of our people who were a casualty of the Congress’ ambition and tunnel vision,” he said.
The Congress, however, accused the Prime Minister of playing “divisive and diversionary politics”. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that while on one side the PM congratulates Pakistan on their Independence Day, on the other side he indulges in targeting Pakistan when elections are near. “The divisive duplicity of the Prime Minister stands exposed,” he said in a statement. “When there are no elections, the Prime Minister exhibits his love for
Pakistan and congratulates the neighbouring country on March 22, the day Muslim League passed the ‘Partition Resolution’ in 1940, and congratulates it on every August 14. But when elections near, he starts diversionary politics at home,” Surjewala said.