“"Jinnah frosty as he wins his dream of Moslem state" :::::: ”Focus of 'Chicago Tribune' - Aug 15, 1947 was - Mountbatten taking oath as first Governor General

 The Washington Post

The front page of the Washington Post carried a long reportage on the celebrations following Indian independence. The paper made a keen observation of the oriental pomp accompanying the celebrations. 

“They began a new chapter of two independent dominions with celebrations in oriental pomp and splendor- marred by bloodshed, death and terror in wide sections of the country,” wrote the paper. The speech of Nehru, the celebratory mood in the Red Fort and the burning of Punjab were all reported under the headline “India achieves sovereignty, amid scenes of wild rejoicing.”

The Chicago Tribune

- The focus of the American news daily Chicago Tribune, on the other hand, was on Lord Mountbatten taking oath as the first governor-general of India. While reporting on the increasing death toll in Punjab and the celebration of the role of Gandhi, the Chicago Tribune’s reportage referred to the newly born nations as “Hindu India” and “Muslim Pakistan”. 

The second page of the newspaper carried a special section dedicated to Pakistan under the headline, “Jinnah frosty as he wins his dream of Moslem state.”

The Irish Times

One of the very first British colonies to gain independence, Ireland shared a special solidarity with India in her long sought after freedom. Accordingly, the Irish daily laid its focus on the Indian accomplishment of independence. 

“The last stroke of midnight, booming from the dome of New Delhi’s Parliament buildings, set off the highest, noisiest and most joyful celebrations ever experienced in the East,” wrote the newspaper under the headline, “India celebrates as Britain hands over control.”

The New York Times

Flaunting a large map of the Indian subcontinent, as it stood on August 15, 1947, the front page of New York Times reported on the celebration of freedom on one hand and the grief of partition on the other. Further, it also reported on the fact that a number of princely states were yet to decide on the nationality they wished to adhere to. 

The ambiguity of the status of the princely states was made evident from the map which left out states like Hyderabad and Kashmir that had not yet made up their mind.

The Daily Telegraph

The celebrated British daily chalked a large portion of their front page to reportage of Indian independence. Large portions of their report were devoted to the communication between the British and Indian political elite, while a significant section was headed as “Indians praise Britain” and another as “British sagacity”. 

A photograph of the Union Jack at the Residency of Lucknow adorned the front page as well which said that “the Union Jack flying from the tower of the ruined Residency at Lucknow, from which it had never been lowered since recapture of the town after the siege of 1857. 

It was hauled down for the first and last time at midnight last night, marking the transference of power to the Dominion of India (Hindustan).”

Compiled by 'Indian Express' 

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi seen sitting in second last row

First time in 10 years that a LoP was present at Red Fort. Government sources said front rows were allocated to Olympic medallists.

The episode as expected sparked chatter on social media. It was for the first time in a decade that a Leader of the Opposition was present at Red Fort for the Independence Day celebrations.

Clas a white kurta-pyjama, Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting beside India's hockey team forward Gurjant Singh.

The front rows were occupied by Olympic medallists such as Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh. 

Members of the Olympic-bronze-winning hockey team, including its captain Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, were also seated ahead of Rahul Gandhi.

As per protocol, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, whose rank is equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister, is always assigned a seat in the front row. 

The front row was occupied by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Amit Shah and S Jaishankar.

It is understood the Congress MP had to be shifted back as the front rows were allocated to the Olympic medal winners. 

The Ministry of Defence is responsible for conducting the Independence Day event and making the seating plans. Sources said the LoP is normally given a seat in the first few rows as per protocol.

During the BJP regime under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then LoP Sonia Gandhi, was always allocated a seat in the first row.

The post of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha has been vacant since 2014 as no party secured numbers equalling a tenth of the strength of the Lower House. 

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Congress increased its tally to 99 as the NDA returned to power with a diminished mandate.

In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the Congress won 44 and 52 seats in the 543-member House respectively.