Odisha CM attributes Partition to British policy and political decisions

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attributed the 1947 Partition to the British government’s ‘divide and rule’ policy and the decisions of the Muslim League and Congress leadership. Speaking at a state program to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, Majhi described the event as one of the largest mass displacements in human history, involving the displacement of approximately 1.5 crore people.

Majhi noted that communal violence resulted in the deaths of between five and 20 lakh people, and that over 50,000 women were subjected to abduction, rape, and torture. He highlighted the lasting trauma of the era, referencing the ‘Blood Trains’ and ‘Ghost Trains’ that arrived from Pakistan.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the day should serve as a resolve for the unity and integrity of the country. He also mentioned that Partition-related subjects have been included in NCERT textbooks to ensure the youth understand the historical consequences without being misled.