Did you ever have one of those epiphanies when you suddenly realized you’ve had enough of something? You start to dig yourself an escape route in silence for your rescue while keeping the facade intact and maintaining your dignity.
The invincible front teetered to crumble, weared from lifelong battles. For the dignity it took them centuries to conquer, they had to sacrifice their possessions, to keep it intact at all costs.
The word, “given” or might I say, impelled to give independence, sits right.
This significance mounts the foundation of overlooked numerous propositions, tactics, strategies, and more, of the venerable Indian freedom fighters, by the then-crumbling monarchy.
The Second World War looted their national reserve to quench their military needs, fighting against their opponent– the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan). Alas, the victory was short-lived. Although the German surrender and the Japan surrender was the day to be remembered, the celebratories only lasted. By the end of the War, losing their prestige to the Japanese attacks left a colossal impact, damaging their reputation in Asia. Unaffordable to run the conquered territories, they had to give them away to their respective owners.
It was the date of 26th January 1948, asked by Gandhiji alongwith other freedom fighters, for the day of the new independent sunrise because the same date of the year 1930 coincided with the pledge day of the Purna Swaraj (complete self-rule) movement.
But…..
The suspicious mindset prevails in any bunch of crowd on a pair of heavy shoulders. They believed if they granted their proposal, the world would perceive it as their defeat and the win of Gandhiji and other freedom fighters. Nevertheless, they pounced on the excuse of giving independence, months sooner because of the fallout, India was going through in 1947– the religious conflicts and the extreme want of a different country– Pakistan. Indian officials received the warning from Britain that it was time to leave, unable to afford keeping under control and if they stayed more than a year, they won’t be able to control the fire, and would get consumed, India was burning in.
Entering as the whistleblower in the story, it became an honorable courtesy of the clever strategy played by the last Governor General of British India, Lord Mountbatten, one of the responsible for Japan’s surrender to his force, who also played the role of the Commander of South-East Asia, of attaching the memorable event of winning the Second World War defeating German and Japan on 15th August 1945 to 15th August 1947, to spread the message of leaving India of their own volition, rather than India getting their independence by their sacrificial efforts, with the agreement of other high-end officials, that they’d celebrate the second anniversary of their World War win, while India would celebrate their independence. A “win-win” for both.
As for the Constitution of India, the sole reason 26th January is celebrated for, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar completed it by November 1949, but other leaders with Nehruji decided to wait a month and three weeks, to coincide it with 26th January 1950, to importantly mark the historical event of Purna Swaraj pledge day in the pages of Indian history. Thus, somehow making up their mind, our freedom fighters got persuaded with this amalgamation of occasions and declared 26th January as Republic Day.
That’s how, after a long tussle and wait, 26th January 1950 was India’s first Republic Day.
(The story of this inspired post was translated from the headlining column written by the amazing veteran columnist Bhaven Kachchi for the Wednesday’s paper, “Shatdal” of Gujarat Samachar.)
LinkedIn: Priya Randeri
an entity of CONTRADICTIONS. out now.
t r a v e l l e r 