Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers and other leaders on Friday paid tribute to those who lost their lives or suffered displacement during the Partition of India in 1947, marking Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
The observance comes a day before Independence Day and is aimed at remembering the suffering of millions who were affected by the division of the country, while honouring those who rebuilt their lives despite the upheaval.
In a message on X, Modi recalled the courage of people who endured the violence, displacement and loss associated with Partition. He said families were uprooted, loved ones were lost and immense suffering was endured, but many people rebuilt their lives from scratch and contributed to the country's progress.
Modi said the experiences of those affected by Partition reflected the strength of the human spirit and called for greater harmony and brotherhood.
“May this day deepen our resolve to preserve harmony and brotherhood in our nation,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the country should collectively work towards building a “Viksit Bharat”.
Leaders recall Partition's human cost
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also remembered those affected by Partition, describing August 14, 1947, as one of the most brutal chapters in history.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also paid tribute to the victims and survivors. Singh said Partition brought profound sorrow, displacement and uncertainty to millions of families, while stressing the importance of remembering the tragedy and drawing lessons from it.
Several other leaders and BJP functionaries also marked the day, recalling the loss of lives, displacement and suffering caused by the division of the country.
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In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi paid tribute to those who lost their lives and were displaced during Partition. Patel described it as a dark chapter marked by pain, displacement and suffering and also remembered those who rebuilt their lives after leaving behind their homes and communities.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute to Partition victims, saying the division was not merely the drawing of geographical boundaries but also resulted in families, relationships and lives being torn apart.
August 14 observed as Partition Remembrance Day
The Centre has observed August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day since 2021. The day was announced to remember the struggles and sacrifices of people affected by Partition and to preserve the memory of the violence, displacement and loss that accompanied it.
The Partition of 1947 led to one of the largest mass migrations in modern history, with millions forced to leave their homes amid widespread communal violence. The human cost was particularly severe in Punjab and Bengal.
The annual observance comes on the eve of Independence Day, with the government stressing the importance of remembering the past while strengthening national unity, social harmony and brotherhood.
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