Congress Resigns & Pakistan Resolution: Explianed

Congress Resigns & Pakistan Resolution: Explianed

Congress Ministries Resign (Dec. 22, 1939)

Background

• The Second World War broke out in Europe on September 3, 1939, which brought Britain also within its fold.

• Without consulting the Indian leaders, the Viceroy also declared India a belligerent country.

Congress Reaction

• This evoked sharp criticism from Indians, and the Congress took the stand that India could not associate herself in a war said to be for democratic freedom when the very freedom was denied to her.

• The Congress demanded that India be declared an independent nation. Then only would the country help Britain in the war.

Viceroy's Response

• The Viceroy, in his reply dated Oct. 17, 1939, rejected the Congress demand as impracticable and took the stand that the Government could think over the entire constitutional scheme after the war.

Resignation of Ministries

• The Congress condemned the Viceroy's reply, and the Congress ministries everywhere resigned on Dec. 22, 1939.

Muslim League's Reaction

• Jinnah was happy over this, and he called upon the Indian Muslims to celebrate the resignation day of Congress ministries as "the day of deliverance".

Pakistan Resolution / Lahore Resolution (March 24, 1940)

Background of the Idea

• It was in 1930 that Iqbal suggested the union of the Frontier Province, Baluchistan, Sindh, and Kashmir as a Muslim state within the federation.

• This proved to be a creative idea which germinated during the early thirties to burst into vigorous life with the advent of the new reforms.

Contribution of Chaudhry Rehmat Ali

• The idealist Chaudhry Rehmat Ali developed this conception at Cambridge, where he inspired a group of young Muslims and invented the term 'Pakistani' (later 'Pakistan') in 1935.

• His ideas seemed visionary during that time, but within 7 years, they turned into a political programme by Jinnah with the new name as its slogan or banner.

Unification of Muslim Ideology

• The ideology of Iqbal, the vision of Rehmat Ali, and the fears of Muslims were thus united by the practical genius of Jinnah to bind Muslims together as never before during the British period and ultimately led to the vivisection of India and the creation of Pakistan.

Lahore Session and Resolution

• The Pakistan Resolution was an important landmark in this context.

• The Lahore session of the Muslim League, held on March 24, 1940, passed the Pakistan Resolution and rejected the Federal scheme as envisaged in the Government of India Act, 1935.

August Offer / Linlithgow Offer (Aug. 8, 1940)

Announcement of the Offer

• On Aug. 8, 1940, the Viceroy Linlithgow came out with certain proposals, known as the August Offer, declaring that the goal of the British Government was to establish Dominion Status in India.

Key Provisions

• It accepted that the framing of a new constitution would be the responsibility of the Indians.

• It also laid down that full weight would be given to the views of minorities in the constitution.

Congress Response

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, President of the Congress, rejected the August Offer, which aimed at bringing the Congress into the ongoing world war.

Muslim League Response

• The Muslim League, however, welcomed the offer as it ensured that no further constitution would be adopted without the prior approval of Muslims.

• The League declared that the most difficult problem of India's future constitution could be solved only by the partition of India.

Outcome

• In brief, the August Offer failed in gaining India's co-operation for the war, and in fact, further widened the gulf between the Congress and the Britishers as well as between the Congress and the Muslim League.

Individual Civil Disobedience / Individual Satyagraha (Oct. 1940 – Dec. 1941)

Launch of the Movement

• The Congress Working Committee decided to start individual civil disobedience on Oct. 17, 1940.

First Satyagrahi

• Vinoba Bhave was the first Satyagrahi who was arrested on Oct. 21, followed soon by many more, including Nehru and Patel.

Suspension of the Movement

• But the movement created little enthusiasm, and Gandhi suspended it.

Final Thoughts

The events between 1939 and 1941 marked a turning point in India's struggle for independence. The resignation of Congress ministries, the Pakistan Resolution, the August Offer, and the Individual Satyagraha all reflect the growing tensions between Indian political parties and the British government.

These developments not only highlighted the deepening divide between Congress and the Muslim League but also exposed the British reluctance to grant real freedom to India.

Understanding these moments is crucial for every student of history, especially SSC aspirants, as they lay the foundation for the Quit India Movement and India’s final path to independence.