Question

Which day was fixed as “Direct Action Day”?
A. 16 August 1946
B. 15 August 1947
C. 15 August 1946
D. 15 December 1946

Answer 1

Hint:
Direct Action Day is also known as 1946 Calcutta Killings which omits option B completely. It was a massacre, abduction, forced conversion which resulted in partition of Bengal.

Complete answer:
 The day is also called 1946 Calcutta Killings. It was a day of communal rioting between the Hindu’s and the Muslims of Kolkata. It marked the start of The Week of Long Knives. It all started as follows - Indian National congress and Muslim League were the largest political parties of that time. Muslim Leagure wanted Lahore to be constituted as Independent state because of the muslim majority that area had. During the transfer of power to Indian leadership, three tier structure was proposed, centre, grovinces and group of provinces where the group of provinces were meant for Muslim accomodation. This was accepted by both parties but the Muslim League has doubts of sincere acceptance from the INC so they withdrew their agreement on July 1946 and announced a general strike on 16 August 1946 terming it as the Direct Action Day with demand for a separate Muslim homeland.
As there was communal tension, a simple strike converted into massive riots where more than 4000 people died and 100,000 residents were left homeless within 72 hours. This violence sparked more religious riots in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Noakhali sowing the seeds for Partition of India.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
The aftermath of this led towards the Partition of India as members of the INC, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru responded negatively towards the riots.