The Great Calcutta Killings of 16th August 1946, euphemistically called ‘Direct Action Day’, was a desperate bid by the Muslim League to achieve Pakistan, which succeeded. It was conceived by Mohammed Ali Jinnah and implemented by Husseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, then Premier of Undivided Bengal. The British Governor, Sir Frederick Burrows, was a silent but willing participant, and the Communist Party lent it wholehearted support. The casualties could not be counted, but are estimated at 15,000 dead and countless grievously injured. It shook the Congress leaders into conceding Pakistan.