Direct Action Day

Direct Action Day: The Muslim League Council demanded a separate Muslim homeland after the British left the Indian subcontinent. They wanted a different country with a Muslim majority. Chosen by the Muslim League Council, on the 16th of August 1946, Direct Action Day was announced as a day of many important measures to emphasize their request for a distinct Muslim territory following the departure of the British from the Indian subcontinent. The main aim was to form a separate nation for Muslims.

The topic of Direct Action Day is part of the Contemporary Indian History section of the UPSC Exam syllabus. Contemporary Indian History is a component of the Prelims and Mains GS 1 History syllabus.

In this article, you will learn about the Direct Action Day chosen by the Muslim League on 16th August 1946, its series of events, and its consequences.

What is the Direct Action Day?

Direct Action Day refers to a significant event that took place on August 16, 1946, in British India. It was a call for a day of mass protest by the Muslim League, a political party in India led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The purpose of Direct Action Day was to emphasize the demand for a separate Muslim state, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan.

The background of Direct Action Day is rooted in the political and religious tensions between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Muslim League regarding the future of British India. The Cabinet Mission Plan, proposed in 1946, aimed to address the constitutional framework for an independent India. However, the INC and the Muslim League had fundamental disagreements, particularly concerning the nature of representation and power-sharing between Hindus and Muslims.

Facts about the Direct Action Day

Direct Action Day	Facts
When was the Direct Action Day?	16th August 1946
Who presided over Direct Action Day?	Initiated by Muslim League and led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Purpose of Direct Action Day	In response to the failure of the Cabinet Mission plan of 1946 to reconcile differences between the INC and Muslim League regarding a united India. The Muslim League, advocating for a separate homeland for Muslims, called for Direct Action Day.

Direct Action Day – Sequence of Events

The Sequence of events of the Direct Action Day are as follows:

• In 1946, a mission from the British government was sent to India to address the ongoing dispute between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Muslim League over the matter of independence. The INC aimed for a unified India, while the Muslim League sought a separate homeland for Muslims, referred to as Pakistan.
• Despite the efforts of the mission, a resolution was difficult to achieve because the League and the Congress could not agree on the idea of a united India with a strong central government. Frustrated by the deadlock, the Muslim League declared 16th August as a day of direct action, urging a general protest against the INC’s position and strongly advocating for a separate homeland.
• At that time, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, a member of the Muslim League, served as the Chief Minister of Bengal. The League announced a large gathering presided over by Suhrawardy, with processions converging at the Ochterlony Monument for the event. The gathering started at noon, accompanied by incidents of forced shop closures, stabbings, and stonings from the early hours of the day.
• While it is thought that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League, did not anticipate the violence to escalate when he called for the suspension of all business, the outcome of the day of direct action proved to be exceedingly violent, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives in both India and Pakistan.

Direct Action Day – Consequences and Outcome

The Consequences and Outcomes of the direct action day are given below:

• After many of the passionate addresses by leaders of the League during the gathering, a surge of enthusiasm swept through the enormous assembly, laying the groundwork for widespread turmoil in Calcutta. The initial day witnessed extensive unrest, resulting in around 4,000 casualties. The disturbances were characterised by atrocious acts such as violence, assault, compelled conversions, and plundering.
• Critique was aimed at Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the Chief Minister of Bengal, for purportedly inflaming the public and subsequently failing to quell the disturbances. Some also attributed responsibility to Sir Frederick John Burrows, the Governor of Bengal, for inadequately managing the situation.
• The communal dispute expanded beyond Calcutta, reaching other areas of northern India, particularly Bihar. Noakhali, now a part of Bangladesh, underwent distressing violence. The occurrences during and after Direct Action Day, collectively termed the Great Calcutta Killings, reached a magnitude in certain places that could be described as genocidal.
• The independence of India was tarnished by the tragic loss of thousands of lives and widespread maltreatment, especially in eastern, northern, and north-western regions. The Calcutta killings marked the initiation of pre-independence unrest. The ensuing violence and communal tensions ultimately compelled the Indian National Congress (INC) to reluctantly endorse the partition of the country as a measure to curb the escalating turmoil and disorder.

Summary – Direct Action Day

Direct Action Day, observed on August 16, 1946, was a pivotal event in the lead-up to the partition of the Indian subcontinent. Initiated by the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, it was a response to the failure of the Cabinet Mission plan to reconcile differences between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Muslim League regarding a united India. The Muslim League advocated for a separate Muslim homeland, and on Direct Action Day, they called for a general protest. The events that unfolded in Calcutta were marked by widespread violence, resulting in approximately 4,000 casualties. The disturbances extended beyond Calcutta, reaching other parts of northern India. The aftermath, known as the Great Calcutta Killings, witnessed atrocities, forced conversions, and communal tensions. The tragic loss of lives and disorder compelled the INC to reluctantly accept the partition of the country, marking a turning point in pre-independence unrest.

FAQs on Direct Action Day

1. What was the purpose of the Cabinet Mission in India in 1946?

The Cabinet Mission was sent by the British government to find a resolution to the conflict between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Muslim League regarding the issue of independence.

2. Why did the Muslim League declare 16th August as Direct Action Day in 1946?

Direct Action Day was declared by the Muslim League in response to the failure of the Cabinet Mission, as a protest against the INC’s stance on a united India, and to demand a separate homeland for Muslims called Pakistan.

3. Who was the Chief Minister of Bengal during Direct Action Day?

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy of the Muslim League served as the Chief Minister of Bengal during Direct Action Day.

4. What occurred during the large gathering on Direct Action Day in Calcutta?

Leaders from a certain group delivered impassioned addresses at the gathering, generating enthusiasm. Subsequently, widespread disorder erupted in Calcutta, leading to considerable unrest and casualties.

5. How many individuals lost their lives on the initial day of the Direct Action Day in Calcutta?

Approximately 4,000 individuals lost their lives on the first day of the event in Calcutta.

6. What were the outcomes of the disturbances during the Direct Action Day?

The repercussions encompassed extensive disorder, involving acts of violence, sexual assault, coerced conversions, and plundering. The unrest extended to other regions of northern India and is identified as the events in Great Calcutta.

7. Who received censure for the management of the disturbances during the Direct Action Day?

Chief Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy faced criticism for allegedly encouraging the disturbances and failing to rein them in. Some also held Governor Sir Frederick John Burrows responsible for inadequately handling the situation.

8. Did the unrest during the Direct Action Day extend beyond Calcutta?

Yes, the unrest spilled over into other parts of northern India, particularly Bihar, and Noakhali (now in Bangladesh) witnessed brutal unrest.

9. What is the importance of the phrase “Great Calcutta Killings”?

The phrase denotes the violence witnessed during and after the Direct Action Day, which, in certain areas, reached a scale that could be characterised as genocidal.

10. How did the Direct Action Day impact the partition of a certain country?

The bloodshed and communal tensions of the Direct Action Day ultimately led to the Indian National Congress accepting the partition of the country as a measure to quell the violence and disorder.

11. What role did Muhammad Ali Jinnah play in the Direct Action Day?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of a certain political group, called for the Direct Action Day and urged people to ‘suspend all business.’ However, it is believed that he did not anticipate the subsequent unrest.

12. Why is the Direct Action Day considered a turning point in pre-independence unrest in a certain country?

The Direct Action Day marked the commencement of significant pre-independence unrest, with the Calcutta killings being the initial occurrence of such widespread violence, ultimately shaping the trajectory of the country’s independence and partition.