Direct Action Day

Direct Action Day, held on August 16, 1946, was a large-scale protest called by Muslim leaders in Calcutta (now Kolkata) to demand a separate Muslim homeland, Pakistan. The event aimed to pressure the British government and Indian leaders to address Muslim concerns about independence and protection of their interests. However, the day descended into violent riots, resulting in widespread communal violence, deaths, and destruction. It marked a turning point in India’s independence movement, highlighting the deepening divisions between Hindu and Muslim communities. The violence led to increased tensions and contributed to the eventual partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.