Aug 14 to be celebrated as 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day'

"Partition's pains can never be forgotten. Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence. In memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day," tweeted PM Modi.

The Prime Minister underscored that the day will serve as a reminder to keep the social divisions at bay and strengthen the spirit of oneness.

"May the #PartitionHorrorsRemembranceDay keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of social divisions, disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment," the PM said in his second tweet.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has welcomed the decision to observe August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

"The wound of the partition of the country and the grief of losing loved ones cannot be described in words. I am sure that Partition Horrors Remembrance Day will strengthen peace, love and unity by eliminating the ill-will of discrimination and malice from society," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

In a notification, the Home Ministry said the people of India, while celebrating "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav", will salute those sons and daughters of India who had to sacrifice their lives during the partition of India.

India was partitioned to carve out Pakistan as a Muslim country by the British colonial rule in 1947, and millions of people had to abandon their homeland and several lakhs were killed as large scale communal riots erupted.

Noakhali in West Bengal and Bihar witnessed large-scale violence.

Partition remains a painful memory in the minds of the people of both the countries.