August 11, 1947: Let us begin this morning from Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram in Kolkata (then Calcutta). There was a huge crowd today to attend the prayer meeting at Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram located on the outskirts of the city. Today the topic of Mahatma Gandhi’s address in the prayer meeting was somewhat different. While addressing the gathering, he said – Today I am going to answer the questions put before me.
Prashant Pol has mentioned this meeting in his book ‘Those fifteen days’ and has written that Mahatma Gandhi further said- The allegation against me is that only important and rich leaders get a place in my prayer meetings. Ordinary people do not get a place in the front row. Since it was Sunday yesterday, there was a crowd, that is probably why this happened. I have told the workers to let everyone in without any discrimination.
Also read:- 10 AUG 1947: Union Jack along with the tricolor… Nehru agreed, a Hindu became the President of the Pak Assembly, got reward for these deeds… The letter received from Lord Mountbatten had brought a wrinkle on Jawaharlal Nehru’s forehead. Actually, Lord Mountbatten had asked to hoist the Union Jack (flag of British rule) along with the Indian national flag on 15 August as well as on 10 important dates, which Nehru refused… For detailed news Click Do it.
Jinnah got the command of Pakistan Constituent Assembly
Meanwhile, it is around 9:55 am in Karachi. Quaid-e-Kazam Mohammad Ali Jinnah reaches the Assembly building in his royal carriage. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan begins in the Assembly today. In the meeting, Jinnah is declared the President of the Constituent Assembly on the proposal of Ghiyasuddin Pathan, Hamidul Haq Chaudhary, Abdul Qasim Khan, Liaquat Ali, Khwaja Nazimuddin, MK Khuhro and Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Usmani.
In his address after assuming the chair of the President, Jinnah said that this Constituent Assembly has two main objectives. First – to prepare the constitution of Pakistan and second – to stand on our feet as a complete nation. Our first objective is to completely stop bribery and black marketing while establishing law and order. There are many people in Punjab and Bengal who have not accepted the partition.
Since this decision has been taken now, the decision has been taken, so the person, irrespective of his religion, will be free to worship at his places of worship in Pakistan. There will be no restriction on anyone whether they go to a temple or a mosque. People of all religions will live together in complete harmony in Pakistan. No one will discriminate on the basis of any religion.
Also read: 9 AUG 1947: A ‘Hindu’ song became Pakistan’s national anthem, Gandhi’s handwritten resignation was published in the newspaper, then in Amritsar… On 9 August before independence, Jinnah entrusted the responsibility of writing Pakistan’s national anthem to a Hindu. In India, a Chief Minister made Mahatma Gandhi write his resignation and got it published in the newspapers. In Amritsar, after the arrest of Mohammed Saeed, a massacre began. To know what else happened on 9 August 1947, read this article. Click Do it.
Bikaner politics caught in Jinnah’s trap
Lord Mountbatten wanted to decide today about the Bikaner state which was trapped in Jinnah’s trap. Actually, Mountbatten did not want that the small states which were trapped in Jinnah’s trap become a problem for him in future. He knew that the more the states become independent, the bigger the problem will be. Bikaner state too had refused to merge with India after getting influenced by the Nawab of Bhopal.
In this connection, Mountbatten had called Dr. Kunwar Singh and Sardar Panikkar of Bikaner state to meet him. Lord Mountbatten held a long meeting with Dr. Kunwar Singh and Sardar Panikkar and explained to them what their future would be if they merged with Pakistan. How closeness to Pakistan could create uncertainty and unrest for them. After this meeting, Lord Mountbatten was convinced that now the chapter of merger of Bikaner state with Pakistan has ended.
Also read:- 8 AUG 1947: Why did the meaning of 8 August change for Gandhi? How Venkatachari overpowered Jinnah’s move, and Kolkata erupted in flames… Two dates of 8th August are very important in the life of Mahatma Gandhi, but the meaning of both these dates was completely opposite for him. Venkatachari had foiled Jinnah’s conspiracy to include Jodhpur state in Pakistan in one stroke. On this day, news of communal massacre started coming from Kolkata as well. To know what is the importance of 8th August in India’s independence, read here. Click Do it.
Mountable gave respite to Hyderabad
Like Bikaner, Hyderabad State was also planning to join Pakistan. By now Lord Mountbatten had understood the intention of the Nawab of Hyderabad State. On the afternoon of 11 August 1947, Lord Mountbatten got a letter written to the Nawab of Hyderabad State and gave him two months’ extra time to consider the offer of joining India.
Tags: 15 august, Independence Day
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 11, 2024, 15:55 IST
