Three such dates that India celebrates are – August the 15th the date of rebirth of independent India, January the 26th, the date of birth of the Republic India and October the 2nd, the date of birth of the father of the nation.

Few nations celebrate a second date at par with their most important date (in India’s case August 15th). So what is significant about this date? India became Republic on this date. True? But was it a mere co-incidence that she choose to become republic on this date? The answer to this question makes it all the more significant. The simple answer is – This is the only date we choose; ourselves; consciously. But Why?

January 26, 1930 – The Lahore Session

Exactly two decades before we declared ourselves republic, on this day, the Indian National Congress had promulgated The declaration of Independence or Purna Swaraj. In the official draft by none other than Mahatma Gandhi stated:

The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually….Therefore…India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or complete independence.

Now this was significant as Indian leaders and parties have been on a  constant debate pertaining to the ultimate goal – A dominion status or the complete independence. All India Home Rule League and All India Muslim League favoured the Dominion status and at times even opposed the idea of complete independence. While veterans like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo and Bipin Chandrapal favored Purna Swaraj a complete separation from British rule. Just two years back, in 1928 Calcutta session, Indian National congress pressed just for Dominion status within two years. It never came. Thus the Lahore sessions finally pressed for the ultimate and the complete freedom.

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then congress president hoisted the first Swaraj Flag on the Midnight of December 31st, 1929, which was adopted as the national flag or the Swaraj Flag. On January 26th, the session not only proposed a declaration for the complete Independence  or Purna Swaraj but also declared January 26th as the Independence Day (Purna Swaraj Day).

Ever since, we continued to celebrate Purna Swaraj Divas (Independence Day) till 1947; each year remembering the sacrifices made in the direction of attaining our ultimate objective.

If we were asked to choose, we certainly would have chosen January 26th as our Independence day

June 4th, 1947

Perhaps, the date has little relevance for most of Indians in current generation. But it was this day, that the last viceroy of British India, Lord Louis Mountbatten announced the date for final transfer of power to Indian Hand – The August 15th, 1947 – The official day of India’s Independence.

The decision was surprisingly spontaneous – rather a shocking and surprising for all concerned. This announcement left merely four moths for the preparation for the ultimate event; the general understanding was for almost a year later. The date had absolutely no significance for Indians. Mountbatten choose the date as it was associated with his most important victory when Japanese unconditionally surrendered two years before.

Thus Indians had no say in choosing the most important date for their History. This of course doesn’t make the August 15th any less important. After all no child gets to choose their own date of Birth.

August 15th, 1947

As the world slept, India woke to light and freedom. The transfer of power to Indian hands happened exactly as announced on June 4th, 1947. We achieved our desired political freedom. India was now ruled by Indians. But were we really and truly independent? the power was transferred to a provisional government headed by Pandit Nehru and was not really a government chosen by the people of India. The stamps and coins still carried the bust of British Monarch.

Soon a constituent assembly was formed to rectify this and draft a constitution for Indian Republic. Against the popular circulated myth of attributing one person as the father of our constitution, it was almost two years of intense debate among the chosen members of the constituent assembly under the leadership of their president Dr. Rajendra Prasad that drafted the largest written constitution of the world. The assembly completed its job by the mid of 1949 and the assembly approved the constitution of India on Nov 25th, 1949. It was signed by all member on January 24th 1950. But we waited. This time we had the option to choose our date. The date of our true Independence. The day when India becomes Republic.

January 26th, 1950

The Independent India, under a provisional government finally declared herself Republic on this day realizing the oath taken exactly two decades ago. The ceremony was marked by the oath ceremony of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who became the first president of the Republic India. The Election Commission was also constituted to take care of the election process for the republic of India. It was two years later, however, India choose his Prime minister and other members of Parliaments through the republic process for the first time.

January 26th, 2010

As Republic India turns 60 this year, we have amended our constitution 94 times – for better for worse. It was in its design. The founder for constitution designed it that way. Bringing amendments to Indian constitution is easier than that of some other countries such as USA. In the words of one of the pioneer member of the constituent assembly and former law minister Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar:

However good a constitution may be, it is sure to turn out to be bad because those who are called to work it happen to be a bad lot. However bad a constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it happen to be a good lot.

This certainly leaves a great deal of responsibility in the shoulders of the future generation of government and the law makers and history is a witness of their success and failure.

Jan 1st 1947

Wherever Gandhi went, it was said, there was the capital of India. Its capital this new Year’s Day was a tiny Bengali village of Srirampur where the Mahatma lay under his mudpacks, exercising his authority over an enormous continent without the benefit of radio, electricity or running water, thirty miles by foot from the nearest telephone and telegraph line.

 

 

March 24th, 1947

Lord Mount Batten, the 20th and the last viceroy arrived in India, not to rule India but to free it from the British rule. But His arrival to India will not be considered complete unless he meets the India herself – embodied as the Mahatma.

July – August 1947 – Punjab

Punjab was burning. The top Indian leaders – Nehru, Patel, Jinnah (It was still India remember) and the entire British machinery including the governor of Punjab, underestimated the trouble ahead on one hand and over-estimated their own capacity to control it – The result was perhaps the greatest bloodshed in the history of mankind, often considered greater than the two world wars.

Mount Batten, tried one of the most brilliant strategy, worthy of his abilities – He employed special task force consisting of 55,000 Gorkhas to control Punjab. The other major constituent of India Army – Hindu, Muslims and Sikhs can’t be relied upon to separate themselves from the sentiments of the region they were supposed to control. However, even Mountbatten was not impressed with the outcome of his attempt – Which was simply – nothing.

The only Indian leader, who foresaw the awful tragedy  in its exact magnitude and tried hard to prevent it, even at the unreasonable costs, was Mahatma Gandhi. And no body was listening to him in the summer of 1947.

Ironically, ill-informed generations continued to hold him responsible for partition, who tried his best to avert it.

July – August 1947 – Bengal

The failure at Punjab was not baffling for the viceroy, but Bengal was Nightmare. Neither, the government was left with any troop to control Bengal (with extremely sensitive communal history) nor could they really dare to.The memories and the wounds of Direct Action day by Muslim league in 1946 were still fresh and a revenge appeared eminent. To quote Lord Mount Batten’s own memory –

If trouble ever started in Calcutta, the blood that would have flowed there would have made anything that happened in the Punjab look like a bed of roses. Only a miracle could save Bengal

Mount Batten turned to  Mahatma. Viceroy suggested

You will be my one man Boundary force

So, while the entire troop of 55,000 man guarded the western front of the nation, Mahatma was the one man army for the eastern front.

August 13th 1947 – Calcutta

Hindus, at Calcutta, called Gandhi – “Traitors to Hindus” and they shouted at him – “Go Save Hindus and not Muslims”. They hurled stones and bottles at him. Gandhi suggested:

ForYou wish to do me ill and so I am coming to you.

Gandhi asked Hindus to guard Muslims in Calcutta in exchanges to Noakhli Muslims pledge to protect Hindu’s There. Can any body imagine? The Hunters are given moral responsibility of protecting their own victims from themselves. And what’s the guarantee? Gandhi’s own life. If any one fails him – He would go to fast on to death. So the Bengal mantra was three pointers:

1. Hindus will protect Muslims in Calcutta instead of attacking them.
2. Muslims in exchange will pledge safety of Hindu’s in Noakhali.
3. Because the two wont trust each other – Gandhi is the gurantee. If any one breaks the promise he will bear the moral responsibility for Gandhi’s fast on to death.

August 14th 1947 – The Shattered Dream, Lahore, New Delhi

The dream of the father of the nation as well as millions of others were shattered for ever. India was no more one; will never be one again. People continued to be butchered in what was now the new born Pakistan and the province of Punjab was burning.

Lahore: Water in Hindu and Sikh areas were cut. Those daring to go out in search of water were mercilessly butchered. And the Indian Prime Minister was perplexed – Can we even pretend to rejoice? Yes his will be one of the most historically brilliant speeches tonight.

New Delhi: Over half a million people attended the Independence day ceremony on Aug 15, 1947 against the expectation of 30,000.

August 15th, 1947

India is a free nation Now. We celebrated our Independence just as the stroke of the midnight. But we paid a heavy price – Not just be lost part of the precious motherland; we lost the trust in mankind. For Bapu and millions of other freedom was incomplete.

Bapu will never return to Sabarmati Ashram. On the eve of Dandi March he had pledged to return only after attaining full freedom. Divided India was not the independence of his dream.

August 15th, 1947 – Punjab, Lahore

We paid a heavy price for more anyone who saw Punjab and Lahore on the day of independence never forgot the horror in his life. For them the day was the day of terror.

Punjab – People were not just being killed, they were being roasted like pigs. Even the dead bodies were not spared and mutilation continued.

Lahore – The gurudwara next to Shah Alimi gate was set on fire and Sikhs were roasted alive inside. Human values at touched the absolute bottom.

August 15th, 1947 – Calcutta

The city of Mount Battens nightmare, the city that was about to burst three days ago, the city that has history of communal violence, the city that has actually witnessed the direct action day a year before and the city whom only a miracle could save – was saved. And the guarantee was one man – Mahatma Gandhi

Bengal proved to be the silver lining – Hindu and Muslims extremists put aside their dagger to hold the national flag. Muslims opened the mosques to Hindus and Hindus welcomed Muslims to their sacred Kali mandir and they together shared sweets. It appeared to be a different India.

On August 15th, 1947, If there was a place that was truly independent of hatred, If there was a true India somewhere– It was where Mahatma was – Calcutta.

At the stroke of the midnight, when India woke to light and freedom, Gandhi ji was sleeping  more than a thousand km away from the lime light – In the Hydari House, Calcutta.

Mahatma, the unarmed prophet on non violence did a miracle in the meanest situation whereas a troop of heavily armed soldiers guided by the viceroy, the governor and the commander in chief of Indian armed forces. More than a dozen of districts in Punjab were literally on flame. This was perhaps one of the biggest achievement on man can think for without weapon and violence.

August 31st, 1947 – Calcutta

The spell of peace cast by Mahatma over Calcutta was finally broken. The loads of dead bodies crossing Punjab border brought the grief’s, the shock, the terror and anger to Calcutta. And that was natural. Gandhi’s appeal fell def on the ears this time. And he had no option but to resort to his earlier pledge – The Fast on to death the most terrible and the most effective weapon in the hand of Mahatama.

September 1st-4th, 1947 – Calcutta

Gandhiji announced is fast. On the next day, the doctor discovered that one of every four hear bit is missing. On second day the rioters in Calcutta were talking about Gandhiji’s physical condition and medical reports. By third day he was so weak that people began to fear worst. Not only the city but whole nation turned toward Hydari House.

The rioters surrendered their weapons and pledged to protect them whom they were terrorising. Calm had returned to the city and Gandhi ji ended his 73 hrs fast on Sep 4th, 2009.

To save Gandhi, Calcutta saved itself. The reasoning returned and talisman appeared to have broken continued.

Mahatma now decided to visit Punjab. Something, he could never accomplish.

September  1947, New Delhi

Delhi got the sour taste of violence on September the 3rd, 1947 and it didn’t take long for situation to go worst. Gandhi ji visited various refugee camps to talks sense with the rioters. But it was hard to reason; even for Gandhiji. People shouted – Gandhi Murdabad.

For the first time in years Gandhi couldn’t complete his prayers. He was silenced. What Britishers couldn’t manage in India and South Africa, His own country men achieved. Gandhi’s struggle continued …

Jan 13-18, 1947, New Delhi

Gandhiji went on his last fast on to death. It was for the peace of India and its honour. For Bapu, the fast was a prayer to God. It is often linked with his emphasis on Indian government’s commitment of certain sum to Pakistan as per partition terms.

His fast almost always was the topic of discussion among Indians. This time, however, it was different. People were not talking about ways to save Mahatma. It was more to about getting rid of him. Or this is what appeared in the beginning when a group of refugee demonstrated out side Birla House shouting – Let Gandhi Die.

Jan 14th 1948

Gandhiji condition worsened and it appeared after all New Delhi might really let Gandhi die. Prayers came from unexpected corners. Mosques in Pakistan prayed for the well being of 78 years old staunch Hindu. Muslims from Pakistan wrote letter urging him to end his first. In exchange they offered even to return back to India.

Jan 18th 1948

A crown of Hundred thousand people, ten thousand times more than those who shouted Let Gandhi Die, came out in a procession to save their father. Reasons had finally returned. Gandhiji ended his final fast. Three hours later he was back on his charkha for he believed

Bread obtained without labour is a stolen bread.

Jan 30th 1948

The Hindustan standard editorial printed a single paragraph –

Gandhiji has been killed by his own people for whose redemption he lived. This second crucifixion in the history of the world has been enacted on  a Friday – the same day Jesus was done to death one thousand nine hundred and fifteen years ago. Father forgive us.

Jawahar Lal Nehru in his remarkable address to nation said

the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere. I do not know what to tell you and how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the Father of the Nation, is no more.The light has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light. The light that has illumined this country for these many years will illumine this country for many more years, and a thousand years later, that light will be seen in this country and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts

…the light that shone in this country was no ordinary light

The end of Gandhi’s mortal existence was indeed the beginning of a new era. An era not without Gandhi. With Gandhi ended the seemingly endless phase of mindless violence on both sides of border. It appears people all of a sudden realised the loss they just incurred. As Hindustan said “Father forgive Us”, people of India realized their own responsibility in the death of their father. It was a death that Mr Mountbatten always cherished and dreamt for. Above all the tribute paid to the father by their sons was incomparable – A total cease of violence – what Bapu lived for.

The Controversy

Jan 24, 1950 – Jana Gana Mana selected as the National Anthem; Vandemataram the national song

The Constituent Assembly, after a long debate finally choose Jana gana mana adhinayak … as the national Anthem of India. For generations to come the song will continue to infuse new spirit in the veins of every Indian.

Same day yet another song Vandemataram was given at par status and adopted as National Song of India. In fact generations of freedom fighters who died dreaming for Independent India were almost sure that one day it will be our national anthem.

Both songs had patrons, both had polarization and both team battled hard to see their get the grand position. And when the resolution was adopted, it was thought that it is a perfect win-win situation and will settle the issue once and for all. It just didn’t happen.

Unfortunately the two team are still batting; still throwing the mud balls, not realizing that they are insulting The Indian Nation.

December 1911

Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore, wrote the song Jana gana mana adhinayak. The song was sung by Gurudev himself on December 27th, 1911, on the second day of Indian National Congress Convention, Calcutta. Same day Indian National congress also extended their welcome to then Visiting King George V.  Few other poets actually composed song in praise of the Monarch and they too were recited the same day.

The event were highlighted in the leading dailies in the following manner:

December 28th,1911 – The Statesman

The Bengali poet Babu Rabindranath Tagore sang a song composed by him specially to welcome the Emperor.”

December 28th, 1911 – Englishman

“The proceedings began with the singing by Babu Rabindranath Tagore of a song specially composed by him in honour of the Emperor.”

December 29th, 1911 – Indian

“When the proceedings of the Indian National Congress began on Wednesday 27th December 1911, a Bengali song in welcome of the Emperor was sung. A resolution welcoming the Emperor and Empress was also adopted unanimously.”

They suggested the song was in honour of the the Monarch. That the word Adhinayak (the leader) and Bharat Bhagya Vidatha (the master of India’s destiny) referred to the Monarch. Incidentally the same press also attributed authorship of Vandemataram to Rabindra Nath Tagore and reported Jana-gana-mana as a Hindi song.

It was also later confirmed that some members of Indian National congress had approached Gurudev and requested him to write something in honour of the Monarch.

Gurudev apparently didn’t contradict the news paper reports and no body seem to relent either the press reports nor its non-contradiction; at least for some time. Well to be exact almost for a three decades.

All these decades, it continued to grow in its popularity.

1937 – 1940 and onwards

The controversy, started when Jana-gana-mana became a  candidate for National anthem. There were  unfortunate controversies surrounding the most popular Indian song Vandemataram that forced the search for an alternatives song. It must emphasised that the controversy related to vandemataram were both unfortunate and unjustifiable. It had sentiments and endorsement of millions of Indians both living and dead of all religions, sects and sections. It appears quite natural that the patrons of the vandemataram vented the anger against the other alternative that was being considered. However, it was carried out in as dirty a manner as the other one carried against Vandemataram.

Jana-gana-mana was condemned as being a praise for monarch and thus unsuitable for being the national anthem for India. So the news papers were dug out in an attempt to justify their stand and disgrace Jana-gana-mana. Worst the controversy is still being populated in year 2009 and on.

It seem only appropriate that the facts about the national anthem be kept straight and in its right perspective, lest new generations may easily be misguided to disgrace their own heritage:

Justification

December 1911

A High official in Indian National Congress approaches Gurudev and requests him to write something in the praise of Visiting Monarch. Gurudev felt quite disturbed at the very idea. In his own words:

A certain high official in His Majesty’s service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India’s chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense

It seem quite natural. You are asked to do a job against your conscience. And what do you do? You revolt and do something magnificent and exactly opposite way. This is what Gurudev did. He wrote a poem in praise of God – The real monarch. And the song was sung. But it still gives rise to several questions:

But How can we be so sure that it was not in praise of King?

There are several points which clearly highlights that it was not in the praise of the British King:

• Why was the controversy a non-starter in 1911? Because Gurudev was well known for his attitude towards the British Government. He was the first Indian to be honoured with Knighthood. Rabindra Nath Tagore returned that great honour in protest to Jalian wala Bagh massacre. Need we say more? A literary work can’t really be separated from the character of the author. Can it be?
• Anybody who has read the other works of Gurudev and most notably Gitanjali (that won him yet another highest award – Nobel prize) will constantly find the mention of divine monarch – The God and not the king of Britain. Once again Jana-gana-mana need to seen as one of the many works of Gurudev and not an isolated incident.
• Jana-gana-mana has 5 stanjas. In the third stanja he writes:

युगयुग धावित यात्री,
हे चिर-सारथी,
तव रथ चक्रेमुखरित पथ दिन-रात्रि

which refer to the same personality (as in rest of the poetry) to have held the reins of India’s chariot through ages (for the most ancient times), day and night, on the straight and the curve paths. Now, even King George, at this point, though may feel flattered,  won’t agree. Still there seem to be a section of people who took Gurudev as some stupid poet using his verse without intellect or intelligence. Gurudev lacked neither. If he really had to praise the King, he was sure to have chosen his words carefully.

How is it that all the leading news paper reported it as being sung in the praise of Monarch?

As already mentioned the same section news papers also attributed the authorship of Vandemataram to Rabindra Nath Tagore. They also reported Jana-Gana-Mana to be a Hindi song. What do  we learn from these mistakes? The basic idea that they didn’t had clear idea about Indian literary works and they often failed to distinguish one author from other and one language from other. Either they cared not or couldn’t understand the real essence of Indian culture and practices.

It has been years old Indian tradition to start any occasion and celebration, related to anything, with a prayer to God. The same thing happened on Dec 27th, 1911. Gurudev graced the occasion by a prayer to the almighty. Rest of the day was of course devoted in welcoming the King. Most likely the press missed out this subtle aspect.

If the newspapers presented Rabindra Nath Tagore in wrong light, how is it that he never contradicted it?

I will quote Gurudev, himself, on this issue:

I should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of such unbounded stupidity as to sing in praise of George the Fifth as the Eternal Charioteer leading the pilgrims on their journey through countless ages of the timeless history of mankind

Was it not that people had really accepted it as a praise to the Monarch?

Most of the contemporary leaders and visionaries and those whose love and alliance to the nation can not be disputed endorsed the real and essence of the song.

To quote Mahatma Gandhi :

the song has found a place in our national life (1946)

It may not be out of place to mention that Bapu, himself wanted Vandemataram to be the national anthem. He always considered Jana-Gana-Mana more as devotional hymn than praise to nation.  He also stressed that Jana-gana-mana is in true sense a Universal song rather than tied up just with India. Thus he always believed in the its true and inner meaning.

Netaji Shubhash Chandra Bose adopted Jana-gana-mana as the anthem for his Indian National Army. Yet another leader of the time who realized the true essense of Jana-gana-mana.

What If it were really a praise to the Monarch and was later justified other wise?

After understanding the personality of Rabindra Nath Tagore, His other literatures and the endorsements by other great undisputed leaders there isn’t really any room for this question. But the fact is that this question continues to cloud the minds of newer generations who know nothing of Gurudev or his works. So assuming (and its really foolish to do so) that it was in praise of king then? Does it make a difference? Is it really relevant as to what was the context?

The only thing that matters is the context and belief with which hundred million Indians sing the song and take the pride in doing so. If a hundred million can correlate the song woth India and its divine monarch (God), it truly becomes irrelevant as what one person (even the author) had in his mind while writing the song. Thus no matter what Jana-gana-mana remains the pride of India and any attempt to de-glorify the song is a direct attempt de-glorify India and its national heritage.

Coming Soon:

• Story of National Anthem Part II – The Pride
• Meaning and Full Text of Jana Gana Mana