2 weeks ago
Pakistan's 1947 bid to fly flag at London's India House
Once upon a time, in 1947, the country called British India was split into two new countries: India and Pakistan.
In London, there was an important building called India House where the Indian flag was going to be raised.
But people from Pakistan also wanted to raise their flag there on the same day.
A kind official named Mr. Vellodi had to figure out what to do.
He asked the government in New Delhi to help him decide.
The Indian government said India House would belong to India, and only the Indian flag could fly there.
So Pakistan got to use another fancy building called Lancaster House for its celebration.
On August 15, 1947, both countries held happy parties.
The men in charge went to each other's parties to show friendship.
In the end, talking and planning helped both countries celebrate without fighting.
MK Vellodi, acting High Commissioner of British India to the UK, sought instructions from New Delhi on the India House celebrations and flag in July 1947.
Lord Mountbatten announced on June 3, 1947, that Britain would leave on August 15 and that British India would be divided into India and Pakistan.
The Indian Constituent Assembly approved the tricolour with a charkha as India's national flag on July 22, 1947.
Girija Shankar Bajpai ruled on August 8 that only the Indian flag and Union Jack would fly at India House, which would remain India's mission.
On August 15, 1947, India's flag flew at India House while Pakistan's flag was raised at Lancaster House, and the two High Commissioners attended each other's celebrations.
- Who
- MK Vellodi, acting High Commissioner of British India to the UK, Girija Shankar Bajpai of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and HI Rahimtoola, Pakistan's first High Commissioner to the UK.
- What
- A diplomatic dispute over whether Pakistan could fly its flag at India House in London on August 15, 1947, the day India and Pakistan became independent.
- Where
- India House and Lancaster House in London, United Kingdom.
- When
- July-August 1947, culminating on August 15, 1947.
- Why
- Both India and Pakistan claimed India House after the partition of British India; India retained the building, so Pakistan's flag was raised at Lancaster House instead.
Indian Government Position
Pakistani Position
Flying the Pakistani flag at India House on August 15
Indian Government Position
Girija Shankar Bajpai ruled on August 8, 1947, that India House would remain India's mission, so only the Indian flag and the Union Jack could be flown there; a Pakistani flag would 'detract from the impressiveness of the ceremony'.
Pakistani Position
Local Muslim League representatives demanded the right to hoist the Pakistani flag at India House on August 14-15, and Vellodi suggested flying the Indian and Pakistani flags together to avoid embarrassment and disorder.
Where Pakistan's celebrations should be held
Indian Government Position
Bajpai offered to make India House's reception rooms available to Pakistan on August 16 or another suitable day, after India's ceremony.
Pakistani Position
Pakistani authorities prepared to celebrate at India House on August 15 itself, eventually raising their flag at Lancaster House, loaned by the UK government for a day.
Key facts
- Event
- Dispute over flying the Pakistani flag at India House in London on Indian Independence Day
- Date
- August 15, 1947; telegrams exchanged July 22 to August 8, 1947
- Location
- India House and Lancaster House, London, UK
- Key Figures
- MK Vellodi, Girija Shankar Bajpai, HI Rahimtoola, Lord Mountbatten
- Resolution
- Indian flag hoisted at India House; Pakistani flag raised at Lancaster House, loaned by the UK government for a day
- Context
- Partition of British India into India and Pakistan, announced by Lord Mountbatten on June 3, 1947
- Flag Approval
- Indian Constituent Assembly approved the tricolour with charkha as the national flag on July 22, 1947
- Article Source
- Ananyo Chakraborty, doctoral scholar at the Australian National University
Quotes
Girija Shankar Bajpai
Secretary‑General of the Ministry of External Affairs, India
“"Although legal transfer of power to India and Pakistan will take place at midnight of 14th August, factual partition between India and Pakistan has already taken place. Inability of the Partition Council to determine division of assets, including property like India House, does not affect occupation of India House which is and will continue to be representative of India."”
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“"Pakistan demonstration at India House would be most unfortunate and should obviously be avoided."”
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Sources
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