On 18 August 1946 the Hindustan Times published this cartoon commenting on the violence that occurred on 16 August in Bengal. The unknown artist portrays a police officer representing the Bengal government standing in the midst of a burning Calcutta (or Kolkata, as it is now known), with scenes of violence surrounding him. The caption criticises the inaction of the Bengal government, which had declared 16 August a public holiday to coincide with the Muslim League’s Direct Action Day. In the violent riots that broke out on the day, over 250 people were killed and 1,500 were injured. 

What was Direct Action Day?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the All-India Muslim League, declared 16 August 1946 as Direct Action Day. He called on Muslims across India to suspend all business in protest at continued British rule. Jinnah wanted to pressure the British government into accepting the  League’s demands to divide the nation by religion. However, rising communal tensions meant Jinnah’s Direct Action Day led to widespread violence across Calcutta and the surrounding areas, with thousands killed and injured on 16 August and in the following days. 

About the Hindustan Times Collection

The Hindustan Times is an Indian English-language daily newspaper published in New Delhi. Sunder Singh Lyallpuri founded the newspaper in 1924, and it played an important role in the Indian independence movement. The British Library holds copies of the Hindustan Times from 1924 to today, which are available in our reading rooms.