How Gandhiji wanted independent India to mark its first Diwali

Three days before India's first Diwali after independence, Mahatma Gandhi responded to a refugee's suggestion to celebrate the festival in spite of their sorrow. Gandhi disagreed, arguing that a grieving family would normally avoid festivities, and that the suffering of displaced people should not be considered someone else's sorrow. Diwali fell on November 12, 1947, 89 days after India gained independence, and the new government faced the task of providing shelter and relief to millions of displaced families.

Gandhi's message, delivered after prayers on November 9, reflected on the refugee crisis and the lack of food and clothing. He admired the woman's spirit but rejected her suggestion, explaining that the question of celebrating Diwali was bound up with the obligations towards those who had lost their homes. In the days following, Gandhi addressed one of the largest gatherings of displaced people over the radio.

The refugee crisis, estimated to involve 1.3 lakh Hindu and Sikh refugees in Delhi within a week of independence and around five lakh in total, posed significant challenges. Families sought safety in various locations, including Purana Qila, Nizamuddin, Humayun's Tomb, and Jama Masjid. The government's relief efforts and the strained relations between communities were also key concerns, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru writing about the dire condition of refugee camps and the railway station.

On November 12, Gandhi visited Broadcasting House in New Delhi to address refugees at Kurukshetra, speaking about the hardship of displaced people and urging them to face their suffering with patience. He emphasized that Diwali could be celebrated only by serving others and living as brothers and sisters. Gandhi also addressed the religious meaning of Diwali, lamenting the absence of Ramrajya in India and urging everyone to regard every sufferer as their own brother or sister.