Shiv Sena does a U-turn on Partition Remembrance Day, echoes Congress citing 'old wounds'

After backing Centre for observing 'Partitions horrors remembrance day', Shiv Sena on Sunday, reversed its stance echoing ally Congress - 'What good is it reigniting old wounds?'. In its mouthpiece Saamana, Sena MP Sanjay Raut condemned Godse's act of killing Mahatma Gandhi, but ded 'What if he h killed Jinnah inste?'. In a bizarre analogy, Raut argued that h Jinnah been killed inste India would t have to observe 'Partition remembrance Day' itself. 

Sena takes a 'U-turn' on Partition

Sena argued, "What will happen remembering pain of Partition? only way to heal this is to join land which was separated from us due to Partition. Everyone wants India to be undivided like before. While this does t seem possible, hope remains alive. If PM Modi wishes Akhand Bharat, we welcome it. But what will he do to 11 crore Muslims of Pakistan?".

On similar lines, Congress too h condemned PM's decision linking his anuncement of observing August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day to Uttar Presh Assembly polls. In an official statement, Congress party contended that PM was invoking Pakistan and partition because he h real achievements to showcase. It stated, " PM has again started preparations for a partition. It seems he wants to repeat (politics of) cremation ground and Muslim burial ground as UP elections are approaching. When elections are t re, he loves Pakistan. When elections come, he seeks refuge in name of Pakistan".

Congress highlighted fact that PM Modi h written a letter conveying his greetings on March 23 which is celebrated as 'Pakistan Day'. According to Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala, this was hugely problematic as Muslim League h passed a resolution calling for creation of a separate Pakistan during its annual session on March 22-24, 1940. He also opined that BJP h t followed up on its tough narrative with Pakistan citing PM's visit to neighbouring country in 2015 and Centre's move to involve ISI in Pathankot attack probe.

PM Modi anunces Partition horrors remembrance Day

On August 14, as Pakistan marked its 75th Independence Day, PM Modi anunced that August 14 will be observed as  Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. Citing that millions of Indians were displaced due to mindless hate and violence, PM Modi said that this day will remind India of need to remove poison of social divisions, disharmony. two nations were split on eve of 14 August, 1947 as British rulers relinquished control of two colonies, ushering Independent India and East & West Pakistan - leing to riots in which lakhs were displaced, thousands injured and killed on both sides.