Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Calcutta on this day in his bid to stop the communal riots that had broken out in Bengal before Independence would be declared on August 15.

Gandhi wanted to go to Noakhali, which had seen severe rioting. A delegation of Muslims, led by the chief of Calcutta District Muslim League, Mohammad Usman, met Gandhi and requested him to remain in Calcutta to ensure the safety of Muslims.

Gandhi agreed to delay going to Noakhali if they guaranteed the safety of the minority community in Noakhali. If there was violence in Noakhali, he would go on a fast till death, he said.

Gandhi stayed on in Calcutta, at Hyderi Mansion (now Gandhi Bhavan) in Beleghata, the abandoned home of a Muslim family, and spent the hour of India’s Independence here.

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