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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.
"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
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.... "
"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.
Accession of Kashmir and Hyderabad
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
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.
Pakistani trained Pathan tribesmen in-
vaded Srinagar, in order to repel the invasion,
Maharaja of Kashmir on 26th October ac-
cepted the accession.
"MILITARY
OPERATIONS AGAINST
HYDERABAD IF
NECESSARY"
Nehru condemns present
Regime.
Hindustan Times, 26 July 1948
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.
"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).
‘Pakistan's threat to Kashmir,
Demand for
change of policy ’
'Warning of
Greatest consequences'
National Herald - 23 Oct. 1947
"Independent Hyderabad
Not possible union wants
peaceful solution"
- says Nehru
Hindustan Times - 7 June 1948