By Our Editor
On this historical day, August 15, it is right and proper to ponder for a few moments and try to recapitulate how our selfless and courageous national leaders in the past had sacrificed their lives and whatever they possessed so that posterity would be able to breathe air of liberation free from yoke of imperialism and exploitation. Seventy-five years ago, to be precise, our beloved country under able leadership of great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and host of others under the banner of Indian National Congress, which was established in 1857 and whose main aim was to fight for India’s freedom. Towards the end of 19th century, number of educated Indians had increased considerably and they became aware of their rights and privileges and exploitation by British colonial rulers. For same type of jobs Indian employees were paid extremely low salaries in comparison to British counterparts while many others faced acute unemployment.
Seat of British Raj was then Calcutta in Bengal province. Spirit of nationalism and patriotism which rose with spread of education due to its influence on democracy and economic development frightened foreign rulers who devised plans to thwart any possible attempts by natives in order to derail their method of subjugating them. So by following policy of divide and rule Bengal province was partitioned on July 20, 1905 into two parts with main intention of weakening the movement dominated by educated and unemployed Bengalis: Eastern Bengal and Assam with capital Dacca having population of 31 million comprising sizeable number of Assamese and tribals from Assam, and the rest of Bengal with capital Calcutta having population of 54 million of whom 18 million were Bengalis and 36million Biharis and Oriyas. The British justified partition saying that Bengal province was too big then to be efficiently administered as single entity. But matters became worse and the INC plunged into action with vigour unceasingly until the government was forced to annul partition of Bengal in 1911. Western and Eastern Bengal were reunited, Assam restored while new province consisting of Bihar and Orissa was created. At the same time seat of central government was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.
During World War II (1939-45) INC suspended its movement for independence which was revived, after victory of the Allied armies, with more enthusiasm and determination. With peace being restored, Britain too experienced change of government in which Conservatives lost to Labour Party many of whose members were in favour of India’s independence. On February 20, 1945 Clement Attlee, British Premier, announced that the British would quit India by June 30, 1948 which, however, was revised to August 15, 1947 with partition into two separate countries, India and Pakistan. Freedom struggle had not only overthrown colonial rule but challenges for strong democracy to flourish in India amidst trials and tribulations. Abraham Lincoln said, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and under a just God cannot long retain it.”