The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter Real Story: A lesser-discussed chapter of India's struggle for independence and partition is set to be brought to light by Vivek Agnihotri in his upcoming directorial The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter. This film headlined by Mithun Chakraborty is all set to explore the tragic events surrounding Direct Action Day, also known as the Great Calcutta Killings, which unfolded in August 1946 and shook the nation.
On 29 July 1946, the All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, announced 16 August 1946 as Direct Action Day in order to protest against the British government's handling of the constitutional transfer of power and to press for the creation of Pakistan. This move came after the failure of the 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan, which had proposed a power-sharing structure between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League and had been initially accepted by both parties before the Muslim League withdrew its support in July.
Jinnah¡¯s declaration of Direct Action Day marked a shift from political negotiations to open confrontation. In a speech, he stated that the Muslim League was prepared to use whatever means necessary to achieve its demands, stating, ¡°We have also forged a pistol and are in a position to use it.¡± The city of Calcutta, which was under the administration of a Muslim League government headed by Chief Minister Saheed Suhrawardy, became the epicentre of the violence.
Tensions had been rising in the region, and on the night of 15 August, ahead of Direct Action Day, violence broke out. The following days, from 16 to 19 August, saw widespread rioting, leading to significant casualties. Estimates of the death toll vary between 5,000 and 10,000, with around 15,000 injured. The violence primarily targeted the Hindu population in Calcutta, with homes, businesses, and properties destroyed.
The events of Direct Action Day in Calcutta soon spread beyond the city, with communal violence affecting other parts of East Bengal, including Noakhali, where many Hindu homes were destroyed. Riots also broke out in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and the North-Western Frontier Province, further escalating tensions across India. The violence had a significant impact on Indian politics.
For many Congress leaders who had previously opposed the idea of partition, the scale of the violence made the idea of dividing the country seem increasingly inevitable. The British government, led by Viceroy Lord Wavell, also began to reconsider its position. Wavell's attitude changed after witnessing the consequences of the violence, and he subsequently pressured Congress to cooperate with the Muslim League.
This shift ultimately contributed to the discussions that led to the partition of India in 1947. The Direct Action Day riots and the subsequent violence played a pivotal role in shaping the political environment of India during this period but also destroyed the lives of many Hindus across Bengal and other parts of India.
Vivek Agnihotri¡¯s next will take pages from this incident and will arrive on the big screen on Independence Day 2025. Excited enough? Tell us @indiatimes.
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