The Communal Holocaust, a dark chapter in human history, stands as a testament to the atrocities inflicted upon various ethnic and religious communities during periods of conflict and persecution. This harrowing event, marked by systematic violence, mass displacement, and genocide, serves as a stark reminder of the depths of human cruelty. Amidst the chaos and devastation, the emergence of Interim Governments sought to navigate the tumultuous aftermath, providing a semblance of order and stability in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. As the world grapples with the weight of history and the imperative of remembrance, examining the role of these interim authorities becomes paramount in understanding the complexities of post-conflict recovery and reconciliation.
Jinnah’s Direct-Action Resolution
Introduction
- In 1946, Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared 16 August as ‘Direct Action Day’ and called for Muslims all over the country to ‘suspend all businesses’. This was to put pressure on the British government to relent to the Muslim League’s (headed by Jinnah) demand of dividing the country on the basis of religion, thereby allowing the creation of a Muslim-dominated Pakistan.
- Direct Action Day perhaps marks the crux of the nationalistic struggle which finally led to India’s partition.
- Direct Action Day (16 August 1946), also known as the 1946 Calcutta Killings, was a day of nationwide communal riots.
- It led to large-scale violence between Muslims and Hindus in the city of Calcutta (now known as Kolkata) in the Bengal province of British India.
Background
- In 1946, the Indian independence movement against the British Raj reached a pivotal stage.
- British Prime Minister Clement Attlee sent a three-member Cabinet Mission to India aimed at discussing and finalizing plans for the transfer of power from the British Raj to the Indian leadership.
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the onetime Congressman and now the leader of the Muslim League, had accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan of 16 June, as had the central praesidium of the Congress.
- On 10 July, however, Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress President, held a press conference in Bombay declaring that although the Congress had agreed to participate in the Constituent Assembly, it reserved the right to modify the Cabinet Mission Plan as it saw fit.
- Fearing Hindu domination in the central government, the Muslim League politicians pressed Jinnah to revert to “his earlier unbending stance”.
- Then, Jinnah rejected the British Cabinet Mission plan for the transfer of power to an interim government, which would combine both the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress, and decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly.
- In July 1946, Jinnah held a press conference at his home in Bombay. He proclaimed that the Muslim league was “preparing to launch a struggle” and that they “have chalked out a plan”
- Further later, Jinnah announced 16 August 1946 would be “Direct Action Day”.
Consequent Impacts
- Since the 11–14 February 1946 riots in Calcutta, communal tension had been high. Hindu and Muslim newspapers whipped up public sentiment with inflammatory and highly partisan reporting that heightened antagonism between the two communities.
- ‘Direct Action Day’ marked the beginning of several acts of violence spread over a couple of days in what came to be known as the ‘Week of the Long Knives’.
- While it was ostensibly established none of the politicians had expected the violence to reach as massive a scale as it did, it went ahead to become a brutality-ridden microcosm of the political struggle that had the entire country in its throes later in 1947.
- Muslims became more determined in their fight for a separate nation where they would feel safe from communal violence, a decision from which both Jinnah, as well as the Congress’ elite politicians, would stand to benefit.
- As members of one community rounded up members of another and murdered them in cold blood, 6 August 1946 was forever etched in history as the day which saw the surfacing of the most primaeval human instinct of violence.
Aftermath
- There was criticism of Suhrawardy, Chief Minister in charge of the Home Portfolio in Calcutta, for being partisan and of Sir Frederick John Burrows, the British Governor of Bengal, for not having taken control of the situation.
- The Hindu press blamed the Suhrawardy Government and the Muslim League.
- According to the authorities, riots were instigated by members of the Muslim League and its affiliate Volunteer Corps, in the city in order to enforce the declaration by the Muslim League that Muslims were to ‘suspend all business’ to support their demand for an independent Pakistan.
- Further, members of the Indian National Congress, including Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru responded negatively to the riots and expressed shock.
Interim Government 1946
Background
- The interim government of India was formed on 2 September 1946, following the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. The plan was an attempt by the British government to resolve the growing tensions between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League over the future of India. The plan proposed a federal structure for India with a weak central government and strong provincial governments. It also proposed a separate Constituent Assembly for the Muslim-majority areas of India.
Formation of the Interim Government
- The interim government was formed by the newly elected Constituent Assembly of India. The Congress Party won a majority of seats in the assembly, and its leader, Jawaharlal Nehru, became the prime minister. The Muslim League also joined the interim government, but it refused to accept the Cabinet Mission Plan.
The Interim Government in Action
- The interim government faced a number of challenges, including the ongoing communal violence, the economic problems of the war-ravaged country, and the negotiations over the future of India. However, the government was able to make some progress on these issues. It helped to reduce communal violence, it established a number of economic reforms and made some progress on the negotiations over the future of India.
The End of the Interim Government
- The interim government came to an end on 15 August 1947, when India and Pakistan gained independence. The government was dissolved, and the two new countries formed their own governments.
- Significance of the Interim Government
- The interim government was a significant step in the transition of India to independence. It helped to bring together the two main political parties in India, and it laid the foundation for the two new countries that emerged from the partition of India. The interim government also played a role in reducing communal violence and promoting economic development.
The following are some of the key figures in the interim government:
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister)
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Deputy Prime Minister)
- Liaqat Ali Khan (Minister for Finance)
- Maulana Azad (Minister for Education)
- C. Rajagopalachari (Minister for Home Affairs)
- Govind Ballabh Pant (Minister for States)
- Baldev Singh (Minister for Defence)
| Minister | Portfolio | |
| Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru | Vice President of the Executive Council, External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations | |
| Vallabhbhai Patel | Home, Information and Broadcasting | |
| Baldev Singh | Defence | |
| Dr. John Mathai | Industries and supplies | |
| C. Rajagopalachari | Education | |
| C.H Bhabha | Works, Mines and Power | |
| Rajendra Prasad | Food and Agriculture | |
| Asaf Ali | Railways | |
| Jagjivan Ram | Labour | |
| Liaqat Ali | Finance | |
| TT Chundrigar | Commerce | |
| Abdur Rab Nishtar | Communication | |
| Ghazanfar Ali Khan | Health | |
| Jogendra Nath Mandal | Law |
Contributions of the Interim Government
- The interim government made a number of contributions to India, including:
- It helped to reduce communal violence.
- It established a number of economic reforms.
- It made some progress on the negotiations over the future of India.
- It laid the foundation for the two new countries that emerged from the partition of India.
Conclusion
- The interim government of 1946 was a significant step in the transition of India to independence. It helped to bring together the two main political parties in India, and it laid the foundation for the two new countries that emerged from the partition of India. The interim government also played a role in reducing communal violence and promoting economic development.
FAQs
Q1: What was the Communal Holocaust?
A1: The Communal Holocaust refers to the genocidal violence and atrocities that occurred during the partition of India in 1947, resulting in the deaths of millions of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs.
Q2: What role did the Interim Government play during the Communal Holocaust?
A2: The Interim Government, established in 1946, attempted to maintain peace and stability amidst escalating communal tensions during the partition. However, its efforts were largely insufficient to prevent widespread violence and bloodshed.
Q3: How did the Interim Government respond to the escalating violence?
A3: The Interim Government, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, attempted to quell the violence through various measures, including deploying military forces and implementing curfews. However, the scale of the violence and the deep-rooted communal animosities proved overwhelming.
Q4: Did the Interim Government take steps to mitigate the effects of the Communal Holocaust?
A4: The Interim Government made efforts to provide relief and aid to the victims of the violence, including setting up refugee camps and distributing food and medical supplies. However, the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis far exceeded the government’s capacity to effectively address it.
Q5: How did the Communal Holocaust shape the trajectory of post-colonial India?
A5: The Communal Holocaust left a profound imprint on the socio-political landscape of post-colonial India, leading to enduring communal tensions and the ongoing legacy of partition. It underscored the challenges of nation-building in a diverse and pluralistic society and highlighted the importance of fostering inter-communal harmony and reconciliation.
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