For a period of almost 200 years, the British ruled India. From being controlled to gaining control of our own nation, it has been a significant journey.
The desire to attain independence began in the year 1929 when Jawaharlal Nehru as the Congress President gave the call for ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or total independence from British colonial rule.
Initially, January 26 was chosen as Independence Day. Also, the Congress party continued to celebrate it from 1930 onwards, till India attained independence and January 26, 1950, was chosen as the Republic Day.
So, how did August 15 become India's independence day?
Lord Mountbatten had been given a mandate by the British parliament to transfer the power by June 30, 1948.
However, as per C Rajagopalachari’s memorable words - If he had waited till June 1948, there would have been no power left to transfer.
Therefore, Mountbatten preponed the date to August 1947.
With this, he claimed that by advancing the date, he was ensuring that there will be no bloodshed or riot.
As per Mountbatten’s inputs, the Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, and passed within a fortnight.
It provided for the end of the British rule in India, on August 15, 1947, and the establishment of the Dominions of India and Pakistan.
However, he later claimed, as quoted in Freedom at Midnight, “The date I chose came out of the blue. I chose it in reply to a question. I was determined to show I was master of the whole event. When they asked had we set a date, I knew it had to be soon. I hadn’t worked it out exactly then — I thought it had to be about August or September and I then went out to the 15th August. Why? Because it was the second anniversary of Japan’s surrender [in World War II].”
Since then, August 15 is celebrated as India's Independence day. This year is the 75th year of Indian Independence.
Akanksha Arora, WION
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