Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Friday described the Partition of India in 1947 as one of the largest mass migrations in human history and said its consequences continue to influence India’s national security, defence policy and relations with neighbouring countries.
Addressing a national seminar on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day organised by the Centre for Independence and Partition Studies, University of Delhi, in association with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), V-P Radhakrishnan said remembering Partition was not about reopening old wounds but about drawing lessons from the past to strengthen national unity and harmony.
The seminar, themed ‘The Partition of India – A Saga of Displacement, Separation and Resettlement’, focused on the history and human consequences of Partition.
Paying tribute to Partition survivors attending the event, the Vice-President described the division as one of the most tragic and dehumanising chapters in India’s history. He said Independence brought freedom from colonial rule but was accompanied by an unprecedented human tragedy, with millions displaced amid violence and upheaval.
As India prepares to celebrate Independence Day, V-P Radhakrishnan said the nation must remember the sacrifices and suffering of those who experienced Partition firsthand.
‘Our children deserve to know the truth of Partition’
V-P Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of preserving the memories and experiences of Partition for future generations.
“Our children deserve to know the truth of Partition,” he said, emphasising that an event of such magnitude should not be reduced to a few lines in textbooks. He recalled the broader lesson that societies that fail to remember history risk repeating its tragedies.
The Vice-President appreciated the University of Delhi for establishing the Centre for Independence and Partition Studies in 2023. The Centre has recorded oral testimonies of more than 100 Partition survivors and is engaging students through lectures, archival work and public events.
Partition divided a civilisational landscape
The Vice-President said Partition was not merely the redrawing of political boundaries but also divided a civilisational landscape that had remained interconnected for thousands of years.
He referred to the disruption of access to important cultural, spiritual and archaeological sites, including the Sindhu river, Kartarpur Sahib, Nankana Sahib, ancient Shaktipeeths and the archaeological sites of Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Takshashila.
V-P Radhakrishnan said the hurried redrawing of borders also created disputes whose implications continue to be felt today, particularly in the areas of national security, defence policy and India’s relations with neighbouring countries.
He also emphasised the importance of responsible decision-making and adequate preparedness when taking decisions affecting the safety and security of people.
‘Nation must remain above narrower identities’
Reflecting on the lessons of Partition, the Vice-President urged citizens to place national unity above narrower identities.
He said no caste, language or region could be more important than the nation and called upon every Indian to take pride in the country’s shared civilisational heritage and national identity.
“Freedom is precious, unity is essential and peace can never be taken for granted,” V-P Radhakrishnan said, stressing that the remembrance of Partition should strengthen the country’s resolve to preserve peace, harmony and unity.
15 Partition survivors felicitated
During the event, V-P Radhakrishnan felicitated 15 Partition survivors in recognition of their courage, resilience and role in preserving the memories and lived experiences of the period.
He also administered a ‘No Drugs’ pledge to students, urging young people to stay away from drugs and make healthy, responsible and constructive choices.
The Vice-President also visited an exhibition organised by the ICHR and the University of Delhi showcasing the history and human cost of Partition.
The seminar was attended by Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, ICHR Chairman Raghuvendra Tanwar, Dean of Colleges Balram Pani, Registrar Vikas Gupta, besides academics, scholars, students and Partition survivors.
