‘Partition wounds still bleed’: Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Remembrance Day
The CM said the state will host an exhibition of literature and documents related to the Partition, while the history of the tragedy will be incorporated into the school curriculum
Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said that the “wounds of Partition still bleed in our collective memory”, as he attended an event in Faridabad to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
On the occasion, Union minister for power, housing, and urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar slammed the Congress for “erasing” the sacrifices of Partition victims, accusing it of prioritising dynastic politics since the days of former PM and Congress leader Indira Gandhi. (HT Photos)
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“Partition left deep wounds on Haryana’s soil. Families came here with nothing but courage. Their determination rebuilt lives and transformed Faridabad into an industrial hub,” he said.
Calling the Partition as one of the most harrowing chapters in India’s history, Saini announced a set of measures to immortalise its lessons, an exhibition of rare Partition-era literature and documents, inclusion of its history in school curricula, and a reform to simplify name-change procedures for women post-marriage.
Pledging ₹51 lakh from his discretionary fund for a Partition Horrors Memorial in Kurukshetra, he said that memorials are being developed across the state.
Saini said the state will host an exhibition of literature and documents related to the Partition, while the history of the tragedy will be incorporated into the school curriculum so that “future generations understand both the suffering and the resilience of their ancestors”.
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For women empowerment, Saini also promised special provisions to simplify official name changes after marriage, addressing a bureaucratic hurdle faced by many.
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For women empowerment, Saini also promised special provisions to simplify official name changes after marriage, addressing a bureaucratic hurdle faced by many.
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Saini said: “This day is not just about grief, but about safeguarding India’s integrity. We must build a Haryana and an India rooted in peace, harmony, and brotherhood.”
On the occasion, Union minister for power, housing, and urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar slammed the Congress for “erasing” the sacrifices of Partition victims, accusing it of prioritising dynastic politics since the days of former PM and Congress leader Indira Gandhi.
Haryana Assembly deputy speaker Krishan Lal Middha called the Partition “one of humanity’s worst tragedies”, citing the loss of 1-1.2 million lives, the mass displacement of families, and atrocities committed against women.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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