What was Mahatma Gandhi doing on August 15, 1947, the day India got IndependenceIJ The question was asked to students of various High Schools and colleges in the capital city here.
Out of 21 students, none could give a factual report about the activities of Gandhiji on that fateful day, which was celebrated with pomp and show. These Gen-X members gave several replies like Gandhji was celebrating the Independence Day by unfurling the National Flag at lal Quila; he was in New Delhi distributing sweets and receiving his supporters.
And all the replies were far from true as to what the Father of the Nation was doing on that auspicious day. India celebrated her hard-own freedom on 15 August, 1947 with pomp and show. There were celebrations galore in the entire country and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his historical speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ after forming his Ministry.
However, Gandhiji was at pains due to the partition of India after it achieved freedom and he silently stayed at Hyderi Manjil, known as Gandhi Bhawan, in Kolkata. He pitted his soul against the madness of communal hatred and tried to calm both Hindus and Muslims, who were pitted against each other during that period. Gandhiji never wanted division of India, so he spent his day in fasting and prayer.
Earlier on August 14, while speaking at a function in Kolkata, Gandhiji lamented as next day the country was going to be divided into two parts, India and Pakistan. “So I cannot rejoice on August 15 and cannot deceive you,” he opened his heart in the presence of an august audience.
So while India was celebrating, Gandhji spent his entire day in fasting, praying, spinning and could not sleep entire night later. And prophetically, his feeling was that such a partition would pave the path for future conflicts between India and Pakistan.