Why in some parts of West Bengal August 18 is ‘Independence Day’

MALDA/KALYANI: Independence Day came three days late in some areas of Bengal bordering Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. This little-known episode of Indian history — the result of an error by the Boundary Commission — has since then been observed in parts of the state, which celebrate Independence Day on August 18.
Cultural programmes are held to recall the three days when Bengal stood on the threshold of fresh communal strife in 1947 after being partitioned.Sunday was no different, with Malda’s English Bazaar and Shibnibash in Nadia’s Krishnaganj block holding flag-hoisting ceremonies.
At Shibnibash, the 18th August Independence Day Celebration Committee organized a procession of senior citizens carrying Tricolours. Committee secretary Anjan Sukul said: “I heard about the three days from my grandfather, a freedom fighter.” Sukul, who has researched this episode in history, has received commendation letters from the Centre and the PMO.
Amlan Bhaduri, district TMC leader and English Bazaar Municipality councillor, said: “Though we live in free India today, it is imperative to make the present generation aware of history. Without the correction made in 1947, our history would have been entirely different.”
Md Ataullah, a veteran journalist, said: “It was an error by the Boundary Commission that created the misunderstanding. Eminent personalities like Ashu Choudhury and Baldevananda Giri were in Kolkata overnight and appealed to the commission to include Malda in India. Finally, the order came on the night of August 17, 1947.” The three-day nightmare ended with the Tricolour being raised in Malda and people thronging the streets. Apart from Malda, Nadia and Murshidabad were also re-included in India.
“Confusion reigned at midnight on August 14, when we heard on the radio that parts of Malda and Nadia would be in East Pakistan. It was the darkest dawn ever when we saw the Pakistan flag hoisted atop the Malda district collectorate’s office,” recalled Tushar Kanti Ghosh, a retired teacher. “We were even asked to store boiled water in large pots to protect homes from possible attacks.”
Fear had gripped the Hindu community. Anima Sarkar, an octogenarian, said: “It was the worst of times, when we suddenly found ourselves under East Pakistan.”
Debdip Dutta, a programme organizer, said: “We have demanded from the administration that this be announced as a special day for Malda.” Isro scientists Suhas Mukherjee and Goutam Mani, part of the Chandrayaan project, were felicitated on the occasion.