1/n Exactly 74 years back (10/10/1946) transpired the pogrom called the #NoakhaliHinduGenocide
In this thread I put forth the related details.
The truth freezes the tears of eyes.
The bad times of Hindus that had begun largely in Bengal from August 16, 1946, Calcutta.
2/n I must begin with basics around Direct Action Day.
The #DirectActionDay had set the Anti-Hindu Sentiments wave really big in Bengal.
the 18th day of #Ramadan was chosen for #DirectActionDay. It was chosen as the day because of significance of the Battle of Badr.
3/n 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".
Source: Halfway to Freedom: A Report on the New India by Margaret Bourke-White, pg 26
4/n On the next page of same book, Jinnah is quoted of talking about, "direct action" and warning of "bringing trouble".
5/n I refer to the same source as above.
The next day Jinnah announced 16/8/1946 as the #DirectActionDay and said- "We will either have a divided India divided or a destroyed India."
6/n Jinnah had warned of every possible unconstitutional steps on #DirectActionDay .
The working committee of Muslim League ensured to explain DAD to every Muslim throughout the country.
Source: Great Divide; Britain, India, Pakistan by V.Hodson, pg 166
7/n Hodson has also referred to Report to Viceroy Lord Wavell (The British Library IOR: L/P&J/8/655 f.f. 95, 96–107), to mention, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, requesting Governor of Bengal Sir Frederick Burrows to declare a public holiday on DAD.
8/n It indeed was an evil intention. Recall, Jinnah mentioning, destruction of India & Unconstitutional methods to be adopted on Direct Action Day.
Which further gets reinforced by Suhrawardy's claim on speech on 16/8/1946
Source of Snippet:John Keay. India: A history. p. 505.
9/n Suhrawardy in his speech at 2:00 PM on August 16, 1946, had clearly mentioned that he has made arrangements to keep police and army away.
The same has been mentioned in Frederick Burrows' Report to Viceroy Lord Wavell.
10/n What gets more interesting that the Communists of Bengal including Jyoti Basu had taken Anti-Hindu stands.
13/8/1946, he had given a press statement which expressed support to Muslims. Read this thread to know how Communists participated in riots.
11/n 13/8/1946 "Star of India", Muslim League's Mouthpiece had issued detailed instruction to all Muslims for the DAD.
It had clearly inflamed Religious Sentiment and war for it by talking of Battle of Badr.
Source: India's Partition: The Story of Imperialism in Retreat
12/n The same notice had also called for complete hartal and general strike in all spheres of civic, commercial & industrial life except essential services.
13/n The notice proclaimed that processions would start from multiple parts of Calcutta, Howrah, Hooghly, Metiabruz and 24 Parganas, & would converge at the foot of the Ochterlony Monument where a joint mass rally presided over by Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy would be held.
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