‘Direct Action’ to achieve Pakistan sparked off unprecedented bloodshed during August 16–19

Q. ‘Direct Action’ to achieve Pakistan sparked off unprecedented bloodshed during August 16–19, 1946 as a result of Hindu-Muslim riots in

(a) Bombay

(b) Garhmukteshwar

(c) Calcutta

(d) Patna

Ans: (c) Calcutta

Explanation:  

 The ‘Direct Action’ to achieve Pakistan sparked off unprecedented bloodshed during August 16-19, 1946, as a result of Hindu-Muslim riots in (c) Calcutta.

The ‘Direct Action’ was a call given by the Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 16, 1946. It was intended to protest against the rejection of the League’s demand for a separate homeland for Muslims in India, known as Pakistan, by the Indian National Congress and other political groups.

In Calcutta (now Kolkata), the ‘Direct Action Day’ turned violent, leading to widespread Hindu-Muslim riots and clashes. The city witnessed intense communal violence, resulting in a significant loss of life and property. The riots in Calcutta during those fateful days of August 1946 are remembered as one of the most tragic episodes of communal violence in India’s history.

Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Calcutta.