J&K L-G Manoj Sinha Says Partition Wounds Still Unhealed

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Friday paid tribute to the millions who endured displacement, violence and irreparable loss during the Partition and, while drawing from the deep emotional and historical weight of the tragedy, reminded that the wounds of 1947 remain etched in India’s collective consciousness even after nearly eight decades.

Sinha who was speaking at a Partition Horrors Remembrance Day function at Srinagar’s Tagore Hall said, “We will not bury their pain in the dust of history.” He described Partition not merely as a redrawing of borders but as a human catastrophe that shattered families, uprooted communities and inflicted suffering on a scale rarely witnessed in history.

He recalled how countless people were forced to abandon their homes, how trains arrived “filled with human corpses,” and how generations have carried the trauma of those dark days. Yet, he also highlighted the extraordinary resilience of survivors who rebuilt their lives through courage, hard work and self-belief, enriching the cultural and social fabric of the regions where they settled.

Focusing on J&K, the Lt. Governor noted that the region bore a profound impact of Partition. Families were divided, communities displaced, and refugees arriving from different parts of the subcontinent faced immense hardships. He acknowledged their contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of J&K, calling their perseverance an integral part of the region’s nation‑building story.

He also referred to the decades-long “discrimination” faced by many communities, particularly those displaced from Pakistan‑occupied Jammu Kashmir and Chhamb, and asserted that constitutional changes after August 5, 2019 helped restore equal rights and dignity to those who had long been deprived.

Sinha extended his tribute to families who fought bravely during the tribal invasion that followed Partition, describing their sacrifice as an inseparable chapter of J&K’s collective memory. He urged citizens to treat Partition Horrors Remembrance Day not only as a moment of remembrance but as an occasion for introspection, national resolve and reaffirmation of peace and unity. The day, he said, must strengthen society’s commitment to rejecting violence, division and communal bitterness.

Addressing the youth, farmers, workers and women, the Lt. Governor stressed that Partition is not just history but a living memory entrusted to future generations. He called upon young people to learn from the past, ensure that the mistakes of history are never repeated, and “build bridges of faith where walls were once raised.” He urged them to contribute to a self‑reliant, harmonious and developed J&K, and to help construct a Viksit Bharat grounded in inclusivity and mutual trust.

Sinha reminded the gathering that India’s strength lies in its diversity—its languages, cultures, traditions and beliefs stretching from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. He said that despite attempts during Partition to fracture this unity, India has continued to move forward with confidence and pride. He called for a renewed pledge to preserve the memories of Partition with honesty and compassion, to strengthen peace and harmony, and to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.

The event featured a photo exhibition documenting the trauma and displacement of 1947, along with a moving theatrical performance that brought to life the suffering endured by millions. A two‑minute silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives. Sinha appreciated the Department of Culture for organizing programmes across the Union Territory to keep the lessons of Partition alive for future generations.

In his closing reflections, the Lt. Governor reaffirmed that remembering the victims of Partition is a duty towards humanity. Their stories, he said, form an indelible chapter of India’s national consciousness, and their sacrifices will forever remain alive in the soul of the nation.