Partition Horrors Remembrance Day(in Hindi -Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas) is annually observed across India on August 14 to remember the struggles and sacrifices faced by Indians during the Partition of India by the British Empire in 1947.
- This day also pays tribute to the courage of Indians, which illustrates the power of human resilience.
- 14th August 2024 marks the 4th observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
Note: 14th August also marks the Independence day of Pakistan.
Background:
i.In 2021, the Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi officially designated 14th August of every year will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to honour the victims and acknowledge the profound impact of partition on millions of lives.
ii.The first ever Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is observed on August 14 2021.
History of Partition:
i.The Partition of India was a result of factors like the Muslim League, British policies like Divide and Rule and Muhammad Ali Jinnah‘s fundamentalist communal policy. Â
ii.The Partition of India in 1947 was the division of British India into two independent nations, India (Hindu majority) and Pakistan (Muslim majority).
- This resulted in massive migration where Muslims heading to Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs moving to India.
iii.This event led to violence, communal riots, loss of property and it is considered to be the most violent displacement in the world’s history.
iv.The Partition of India was announced by Lord Louis Mountbatten on June 3 1947, who assumed the role of last viceroy of India on 24th March 1947.
v.The boundary commission was set up to mark the boundary limits. Cyril Radcliffe, head of the commission drew the revised boundaries of India and Pakistan.
Key Points:
i.This partition resulted in one of the largest migrations in human history affecting about 20 million people.
ii.As per the data, about 6 million non-muslims moved out from West Pakistan and 6.5 million Muslims moved out from the Indian part of Punjab, Delhi and other regions into West Pakistan.
2024 Events:
i.The National School of Drama (NSD),New Delhi(Delhi) has curated a play to highlight the sufferings of the partition-affected people.
- The play’s script is intended to educate and promote awareness among students about the events of Partition, the impact they had on millions of lives, and the significance of commemorating this chapter in history.
iii.The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a circular directing all affiliated schools to observe ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ on August 14, 2024.
Note: NSD is one of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India (situated in New Delhi, Delhi).
