BJP veteran L.K. Advani, himself displaced by the Partition, on Saturday recalled the “trauma” but also underlined the “triumph of freedom” that accompanied it, stressing “respect for diversity and freedom of expression” as the way to strengthen Indian democracy.

“Eventually, when India became free on 15th August 1947, the triumph of freedom was accompanied by the tragedy of Partition,” Advani said in a statement that did not refer to Modi’s announcement about observing August 14 as “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”.

“Having been a victim of it myself, I painfully recall the physical and emotional trauma this tragedy caused to the displaced people on both sides of the border.”

Advani, 93, who was born in Karachi, asserted that India had blossomed into a prosperous country “over the (past 75) years”, his remark contrasting with the present government’s insinuations that nothing good had happened in the 67 years before Modi.

“It has been my strong belief that the essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. It is this that has contributed to India being a successful democracy,” Advani said.