P134 CEEFAX 1 134 Fri 15 Aug 22:19/28 THE ROAD TO PARTJTJON Gandhi launched the 'Quit India' movement in 1942, but Jinnah condemned it and rioting worsened. Three years later Labour came to power in Britain and the party was soon convinced of the need for independence. Elections in 1946 saw Congress and the Muslim Ljaguj emerge as the dominant powers — but it also revealed the polarisation of Indian society. Mistrust between them undjrminjd a proposed interim govjrnmjnt, which the Muslim League boycotted. Guiding hand of visionary Nehru 134 Front page 100 TV 600 Digest 143 Next News Heads Latest News XtraP134 CEEFAX 1 134 Fri 15 Aug 22:15/21 THE ROAD TO PARTJTJON In February 1947 Lord Mountbatten was appointed Viceroy of India. He soon became convinced that Congress would accept partition of the country as the price for independence. He also thought Muslim leader Jinnah would accept a smaller Pakistan than he demanded and that Sikhs would learn to accept the division of the Punjab. Lord Mountbatten believed rising tension meant the plan needed to bj put into action immediately rather than wait for the arranged transfer in 1948. Guiding hand of visionary Nehru 300 Front page 100 TV 600 Digest 143 Next News Heads Latest News XtraP134 CEEFAX 1 134 Fri 15 Aug 22:15/33 THE ROAD TO PARTJTJON On June 2, Lord Mountbatten announced that independence would bring with it partition. A Bill was introduced in the Commons the following day and the India Independence Act was passed on July 14. The partition plan provided for the Muslim majority districts of Punjab and Bengal to go to Pakistan. Balochistan and Sindh also agreed to join. The only state that became a serious problem was Jammu and Kashmir, whose status is still the subject of dispute. Guiding hand of visionary Nehru 300 Front page 100 TV 600 Digest 143 Next News Heads Latest News XtraP134 CEEFAX 1 134 Fri 15 Aug 22:47/46 THE ROAD TO PARTJTJON Through the summer of 1947 violence increased as preparations for partition were made. Law and order broke down in many areas as British troops were withdrawn. Finally, at midnight on August 14, 1947, independence came. With it came massive rioting and population flows. Around 500,000 people died in violence that lasted for weeks. And when the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India to receive aid, Pakistan refused to recognise the decision and the two countries went to war. Guiding hand of visionary Nehru 300 Front page 100 TV 600 Digest 143 Next News Heads Latest News Xtra