Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, also known as Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas, is observed annually on August 14th, one day before India’s Independence Day. In 2021, the Prime Minister declared this day a memorial to the millions of people who lost their lives and homes when the country was split in two.
The government issued a statement when the date was first announced, which reads as follows:
“The partition caused one of the largest migrations in human history, affecting about 20 million people. Millions of families had to abandon their ancestral villages, towns, and cities and were forced to start anew as refugees.”
Meaning and History Of This Terrifying Brutality
Many people were forced to relocate after British India was partitioned in August 1947, resulting in the creation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of India. It is estimated that between 10 and 15 million people were uprooted as a result of the partition; Hindus and Sikhs fled what is now Pakistan to India, while Muslims fled India to Pakistan.
About 200,000 to 2 million people perished in communal riots that broke out across the country. Even now, it ranks among the deadliest communal riots ever. Having lost their family homes, many people were forced to start over in an alien environment.
It was reported that some family members remained in India while others emigrated to Pakistan. Overnight, families lost their homes, livelihoods, and financial security. Various cities and states in India set up refugee camps to house the influx of people. These include Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, and others. Partition Horrors Remembrance Day serves to remind us of this painful chapter in history.
PM Narendra Modi On Partition Horrors Remembrance Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 14 to be a yearly commemoration of the Partition Horrors, saying that millions of people lost their lives as a result of “mindless” hatred and violence. He declared that “August 14 will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” in honor of those who suffered during the partition.
Modi also said,
“May the #PartitionHorrorsRemembranceDay keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of social divisions, and disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony, and human empowerment.”
The Government Also Shared Some Old Pictures Of The Partition On Partition Horrors Remembrance Day
The Press Information Bureau, a government agency in charge of sharing information, took to X (formerly Twitter) to remind the public that today is the day to reflect on the “horrors of the partition” and pledge to continue fighting for the “unity and integrity of the country.” Check out the pictures below:
Conclusion
Several states in India set aside August 14 as a day to reflect on and pay tribute to the victims of the partition’s violence. The tragic events will not be forgotten, and today’s remembrance will serve as a reminder of the value of unity and harmony.
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day is observed annually on August 14 to honor the countless lives lost and hardships endured by people during India’s partition in 1947. This day not only remembers those who perished in the partition but also hopes to teach future generations the price of bigotry and division.
