Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Bengal CM Pays Homage to 1946 Great Calcutta Killings Victims
Many years ago, on August 16, 1946, terrible riots broke out in the Indian city then called Calcutta, which is now called Kolkata.
During four days of violence, thousands of Hindu people were killed.
This sad event is remembered as 'The Great Calcutta Killings' or 'Direct Action Day.'
A leader named Suvendu Adhikari, who is the Chief Minister of West Bengal, posted a message online to remember the victims.
He asked everyone not to forget the people who died.
He also said this must never happen again because of 'appeasement politics,' which he said was what caused the violence.
He remembered a brave man named Gopal Mukherjee, also known as 'Gopal Pantha,' who protected Hindu Bengalis during the riots.
As a thank-you, a street in Kolkata was named after Gopal Mukherjee.
Mr. Adhikari also mentioned another terrible event that happened in Bangladesh in 1971.
He wants people to learn from the past so that such violence never happens again.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari posted on social media on the anniversary of The Great Calcutta Killings, which began on August 16, 1946.
Thousands of Hindus were killed in four days of riots in then-Calcutta, now Kolkata, according to the Chief Minister's post.
Adhikari said the violence was 'fuelled by appeasement politics' and appealed to people never to forget the victims.
He honoured Gopal Mukherjee, known as 'Gopal Pantha', a central Kolkata resident who protected Hindu Bengalis during the riots.
Adhikari earlier said two Hindu genocides were committed in the name of dividing India: the 1946 Calcutta killings and the 1971 events in Bangladesh.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who paid homage to the victims; Gopal Mukherjee ('Gopal Pantha') is also highlighted for protecting Hindu Bengalis during the riots.
- What
- The Chief Minister commemorated the victims of The Great Calcutta Killings (Direct Action Day) and warned against such violence being repeated.
- When
- On Sunday, August 16 — the anniversary of the riots that began on August 16, 1946; Adhikari also spoke about the event at a function on August 14.
- Where
- Kolkata (then Calcutta), West Bengal; Adhikari also attended a function at the Moulali Youth Centre.
- Why
- To remember the thousands of lives lost and to warn that the 'appeasement politics' he blames for the killings must not lead to a repeat.
- Event
- The Great Calcutta Killings / Direct Action Day
- Event start date
- August 16, 1946
- Duration
- Four days of riots
- Location
- Kolkata (then Calcutta), West Bengal
- Reported victims
- Thousands of Hindus killed
- Chief Minister
- Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal
- Notable protector
- Gopal Mukherjee ('Gopal Pantha')
- Commemorative act
- Street in Kolkata named after Gopal Mukherjee