Why Gandhi spent August 15, 1947, in Calcutta instead of Delhi

On August 15, 1947, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, did not join the celebrations in the national capital, Delhi. Instead, he chose to remain in Calcutta, the city that had witnessed communal violence since Direct Action Day a year earlier. The capital erupted in celebration with numerous flag-hoisting ceremonies and crowds shouting "Mahatma Gandhi ki jai".

However, Gandhi's presence was notably absent. The city was still reeling from the brutal communal riots, with three million people living in chronic undernourishment. Gandhi arrived in Calcutta on August 13 and set up residence at Hydari House in the Muslim-dominated locality of Beliaghata. Upon his arrival, he faced a hostile welcome from a largely Hindu crowd, who had lost relatives to Muslim mobs during Direct Action Day.

Gandhi responded by stating that he had come to serve both Hindus and Muslims and warned them not to "go mad" again. Gandhi's presence in Calcutta was partly in response to a pledge from Muslim leaders in Noakhali to protect Hindus on Independence Day. He urged the city to observe Independence Day by fasting, praying, and spinning the charkha, believing it could help prevent disaster.

Despite the grim circumstances, there were signs of hope on August 15, as Hindus and Muslims fraternised and drove together through the streets, shouting "Jai Hind". Gandhi addressed a prayer meeting and expressed his hope that the fraternisation between the communities was sincere and not a momentary impulse.