Independence 2019: This is why India celebrates 15th August as Independence Day
India is all gearing up to celebrate their 73rd Independence Day on 15th August 2019, the countrymen will celebrate the freedom day and also remember the sacrifices that freedom fighters made during their struggle against the British empire. India got freedom after the British empire divided India into two nations, India and Pakistan.
While Pakistan celebrates its independence day on 14th August, whether India celebrates its Independence day on 15th August. Now, why is the difference so for that here are the events that suggest the relevance of this day.
In 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru gave a call for 'Poorna Swaraj', complete Independence day from British rule. Congress party chose 26th January as Independence Day and they even started celebrated it from 1930 onwards till India's independence day on 15th August.
However, on 15th August, Mountbatten was the last viceroy of India and he was given the powers and mandate by the British parliament to transfer the powers to Indians by 30th June 1948. Although, 15th August 1947 was the day of end of British rule declared by Britishers. To the end, Mountbatten had said that he was ensuring that there will be no bloodshed or riot in the country.
The Indian Independence Act was passed by the British parliament based on the plans of Mountbatten on 3rd June 1947. The act clearly mentioned the date of Independence day of 15th August 1947.
Meanwhile, there is one more event that is linked to the date related to British rule. On 15th August 1945, Japan announced the surrender to the Allies. Mountbatten remembered the day when he was hearing the news of surrender along with Winston Churchill in his room.
Also Read - 'Tryst With Destiny' - Jawaharlal Nehru's speech on the eve of Independence that encouraged India to rebuild
First published: 9 August 2019, 12:38 IST