Abstract :
Though physically far away, the idea of Pakistan gained wide currency among the Muslims of the Presidency in general and of the Tamil region in particular. Rajagopalachari, though resigned from the Congress, was rallying the Congress leaders to his stand on Pakistan. In the long run, the scheme gained favour among the Congressman. A section of the members of the League in the presidency was also against the partition. Leaders like Allah Pitchai, Basheer Ahmad Sayeed left the League on the issue of partition.The Congress once again tried to mobilize the support of the Muslims. But the Muslim Press wrote that the Muslims of the presidency fully allied with the League were determined to achieve Pakistan. The Congress entered into an alliance with the all India Nationalist Muslims Majlis which had its base in the North India to contest the forthcoming elections in the presidency. To demonstrate its strength the League called for “Direct Action Day” on 16 August 1946. During the meeting on the day in the presidency, many Muslims pledged to lay their lives for the sake of Pakistan. The British decided in February 1947 to transfer power. Lord Mountbatten was sent to wind up the British rule in India. Congress and Gandhiji accepted the partition of the country. Jinnah succeeded in achieving Pakistan. The Tamil Muslims far away from Pakistan had no more roles to play. They were mere witness to the happenings. Pakistan was born on 14th August 1947. India won complete Independence on 15th August 1947. E.V. Ramaswamy declared 15 August 1947 as “A Day of Sorrow‟, and asked his followers to observe it as a „Day of Mourning‟. As a leader who was supporting the Muslim cause all along, accepted the participation of the Muslims in the mourning. But Muslims generally kept away from the agitation and joined the national celebrations. The nationalist Muslims requested the Muslims to participate in the Independence Day celebrations. Mohammed Ismail, the President of the Muslim League appealed to the Muslims to join hands with the Congress and other friends to celebrate the Independence Day on 15 August 1947 and he declared “we are joining the Independence Day celebrations not in any spirit of compulsion but as free citizens of a Free Indian Union”. The Muslims celebrated the Independence Day with gaiety in all the towns and villages in the Presidency. The Muslims of the Presidency adopted themselves to the new political climate to live in peace and harmony.
Author Name : Dr. P. Nallathambi
Keywords: Partition, India, Muslim, Tamilnadu.
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