Partition Horrors Remembrance Day: LG Sinha Calls for Unity, Peace and a Future Free from the Shadows of Partition
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 14, 2026: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Friday attended the solemn observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, and paid tribute to the millions of people who suffered loss, displacement and unimaginable hardship during the Partition of 1947.
The event featured a collective remembrance of the victims and a reaffirmation of the values of peace, harmony, national unity and integration.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the pain and sacrifices associated with Partition continue to remain embedded in the collective consciousness of the nation.
“Decades after the Partition, their sacrifice reminds us that the wound remains unhealed, lingering as a generational pain in India's collective soul,” he said, adding that the occasion was not merely about remembering the past but also about giving voice to millions whose lives were irrevocably affected by the tragedy.
The Lieutenant Governor said preserving the memories of Partition victims with truth, honesty and sensitivity was a national responsibility. He observed that their experiences constitute an important chapter of India's collective consciousness and that their sacrifices should continue to be remembered by future generations.
Calling upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to use the occasion for introspection and reaffirmation of their commitment to peace and national unity, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the resilience of those who rebuilt their lives despite the immense suffering caused by Partition.
He said the courage and determination of those affected by the tragedy enabled them to rebuild their lives and contribute significantly to India's social fabric, cultural heritage and national development.
“Today’s occasion is an opportunity to acknowledge the pain of the past and strengthen our unwavering commitment to peace, harmony and national unity. This day reminds us that only the lessons of history can make the future secure and humane,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Referring to the displacement and suffering of families from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Chhamb, the Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to those who endured prolonged hardships. He also referred to the families who, according to him, faced discrimination in Jammu and Kashmir and said that the abrogation of Article 370 had paved the way for equal rights.
The Lieutenant Governor also remembered the families who suffered during the tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in the months following Partition.
He said the invasion and subsequent conflict left a deep imprint on the collective memory of the region, while paying tribute to the families who endured immense hardships and demonstrated courage and patriotism during those difficult times.
Addressing the youth, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to learn from the painful experiences of the past and ensure that the mistakes and divisions of history are not repeated.
“The youth of Jammu Kashmir must ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated in the future. Where walls were once raised, you must build bridges of trust and construct a Viksit Bharat that is inclusive,” he said.
Emphasising India's diversity as a source of strength, the Lieutenant Governor said the country represents a confluence of different languages, cultures, traditions and beliefs, stretching from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to the north-eastern states.
He called upon citizens to ensure that the lessons of Partition continue to guide future generations towards peace, harmony and mutual respect.
The Lieutenant Governor said building a self-reliant and developed Jammu and Kashmir was a shared responsibility and emphasised that national unity remains fundamental to India's strength, security and collective progress.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor visited a photo exhibition depicting the experiences and hardships associated with Partition. A two-minute silence was also observed in memory of those who lost their lives during the Partition of India.
The programme also featured a theatrical performance by artists portraying the trauma, displacement and hardships endured by millions during Partition.
Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board; Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shri Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Shri Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture; Shri Ashok Koul, General Secretary (Organisation), BJP J&K; senior officers, prominent citizens and a large number of youth attended the event. ANB
