Republic of India Declared!

15 August 1945 - After two years of negotiations between the British government and various factions within the country mediated by the Japanese, India has finally formally declared indpendence.

It has been a grueling two years of bargaining, arguing, and threats which at times seemed destined to end in the partition of India into two separate, and possibly warring, nations. The INC, Muslim League, and various princes all sought the advancement of their own agendas in the near chaos despite the threats their plans posed to an overarching national government. Many would say Japanese bayonets were the only thing keeping all representatives at the table.

Partition seemed the greatest threat to India throughout the past two years. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the appointed President of India, had repeatedly stood against any outcome short of a whole, undivided India despite calls by Jinnah and the Muslim League for a split along religious lines. The issue of an independent Pakistan had arisen time and again as the only possible solution to future problems sure to arise between Muslims and Hindus in the future state. Many thought the divide between them was insurmountable, but Bose has proven his diplomatic skills once again.

In order to hold his fragile confederacy of states and kingdoms together, Bose has allowed certain compromises. Perhaps the most important was the consitutional clause creating a secular state. Further, to assure local rulers that he is not a tyrant, a federal system of government has been established. This has also served to mollify Jinnah, the Prime Minister, who had called for an autonomous state of Pakistan. Though short of a rump state within a state, the federal system served to empower Muslim majorities in various principalities where they hold the majority. It also guaranteed seats in Parliament for Muslims.

Bose and Jinnah celebrated together in front of the throngs of cheering supporters. Muslim and Hindu, hand in hand, the two men hope to keep India together in the years to come.

SOURCE: The Herald