
Memoir of Those Seven Days By Suranjan Samajpati August 16, Evening The city was restless even before the first scream. Rumours thickened in the lanes of Kalighat like smoke — Direct Action Day, Suhrawardy’s speeches, mobs sharpening blades openly, constables melting away. By the time Niranjan and I left our cramped rented room, we knew …

Day 1 – 16 August 1946 The whole day, the air was uneasy. Uncomfortable rumours of violence had spread faster than tramcars. Suhrawardy’s voice blared over Calcutta, and I could sense the mood turning ugly. I have long been uncomfortable with the Muslim League’s mindset—aggressive, self-righteous, looking for a chance to strike. My own Graham …