Most of us are not personally connected in any way with Partition. Even those of us who are generally just think of it in terms of superficial images, such as the line drawn through a map which resulted in a lot of bloodshed and trauma. But over the last ten years, I’ve interviewed hundreds of people who lived through it and here’s what I feel:

1.      Yes, Partition should be commemorated …

2.      but not on 14 August, and not by calling it Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

3.      Along with consoling people about the horrors and helping them find closure, we should also honour them for their bravery and enterprise in facing difficult situations and building new lives in the new places they were displaced to.

4.      We should do this on Independence Day itself, as people who suffered Partition had fought for freedom too … then lost their land … then made the best they could of their lives … then celebrated Independence Day happily along with everyone, year after year, and without the tiniest moan! Hats off to them!!

5.      We should acknowledge that all communities suffered, and there were people of all communities who committed atrocities. Unless we do this, we are never going to achieve peace and stability. As commemoration, we should offer love and prayers to all who suffered.

6.      We should also celebrate the people who went out of their way to help and save people of the other community even at the risk of their own lives. They are the unsung heroes of Partition and it’s time to offer them our collective gratitude!

If you agree with this, please sign my petition: https://www.change.org/CommemoratePartitionOn15AugustAndWhileRegrettingHorrorPleaseAlsoHonourBraveryEnterpriseSolidarity and share it with others who would agree too!