Reminding that last year people had responded to the appeal of Bharatiya Janata Party to hoist Indian tricolour at homes on August 15, Party’s State Spokesperson Shivrai Kulkarni said, “This year too we have urged people for ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’. Independence Day is a proud moment for us and we must celebrate it with much fanfare. We hope, our appeal will evoke good response from people this year too.” Kulkarni was addressing mediapersons at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan on Saturday. Kulkarni informed mediapersons, “The Party has also resolved to observe ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika (Pain of Partition) Memorial Day’ on the eve of Independence Day, August 14, to commemorate the struggle and sacrifice of millions of Indians as a part of freedom struggle. To remember the pain caused by the partition of the country and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the partition, BJP has appealed to a large number of people to participate in this event.”

 

Shivrai Kulkarni said that this year’s Amrut Mahotsav is a ceremony of pride for every citizen. In the elixir of freedom, as the country moves towards self-reliance, those who sacrificed for freedom must be remembered. However, we Indians will continue to feel the pain of partition, pointed out Kulkarni. “Partition of India is a story of betrayal on religious grounds. Prior to independence, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced the decision of independence on February 20, 1947. Before June 30, 1948, the British had announced transfer of power and leaving the country. However, before that the British had divided the country into two. This act can never be forgotten,” said Kulkarni. “Partition cost us dearly. In fact, during the migration period, due to massive violence, nearly half a million citizens lost everything and had to live on the streets. About 6 million non-Muslims left their homes in West Pakistan and fled to India, while 2 million non-Muslims left their homes in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and migrated to India. More than five lakh citizens were killed, stated Kulkarni. City BJP President Jitendra Kukde, General Secretary Sanjay Bangale, Spokesperson Chandan Goswami and others were prominently present.