Hyderabad: On the midnight of August 14, 1947, section 144 was imposed on Secunderabad, Gowliguda and Sultan Bazaar in the then princely state of Hyderabad, in an attempt to clamp down on those who wanted the state to join the Union of India.
Hyderabad was a separate state and its ruler, Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan chose to be independent rather than accede to India or Pakistan. It was a Hindu-dominant state with a Muslim ruler.
“The agitation was carried out mainly by Congressmen and many from the Arya Samaj. Taking advantage of the situation, Kasam Razzi, leader of the Razakars, gave the call of ‘Azad Hyderabad.’
Law and order were totally broken. The government of India advised Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan to ban the Razakars (a private militant organisation).
“The army was sent in and thus it came to be known as ‘police action,’ that took place from September 13 to 17, 1948,” explained Professor M. Sadanandam, former head of the History department of Osmania University.
Captain Pandu Ranga Reddy, a member of the Royal Historical Society, London, said that August 15, 1947, is equally significant for Hyderabadis.
“Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan declared that he would ‘associate’ with India not ‘accede’ to India. This caused much consternation.
On August 15, 1947, many Congress men and Arya Samajis not only protested but also unfurled the tricolour at Sultan Bazar, Gowliguda and Secunderabad. The police resorted to a lathi charge and removed the flag,” recalls Captain Reddy.
There were demonstrations in Warangal and Nalgonda districts too. On November 29, 1947, the government of India concluded a standstill agreement with the Nizam for one year to maintain the status quo.
Seventy years ago, the transfer of power took place at midnight of August 14, 1947, with Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech. Nowhere else in the world has a transfer of power taken place at midnight and the reason was that Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, did not want to lower the Union Jack and unfurl the Indian tricolour.
