Nationalistic Response to Second World War in India
Introduction:
- Germany's attack on Poland in September 1939 led to the Second World War.
- Britain declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, and India declared its support for the war effort without consulting Indian opinion.
Congress Offer to Viceroy:
- The Congress did not like the unilateral action of the British of drawing India into the war without consulting the Indians.
- Congress decided to support the war effort conditionally.
The Indian offer to cooperate in the war effort had two basic conditions:
- After the war, a constituent assembly should be convened to determine the political structure of a free India.
- Immediately, some form of a genuinely responsible government should be established at the Centre.
- The offer was rejected by Linlithgow, the viceroy.
CWC Meeting at Wardha:
- Different opinions were voiced on the question of Indian support to British war efforts at the Wardha session of the Congress Working Committee.
- Gandhi advocated unconditional support to the Allied powers due to his total dislike of the fascist ideology.
- Subhas Bose and other socialists had no sympathy for either side in the war and believed that the war was being fought by imperialists on both sides.
- Jawaharlal Nehru believed that justice was on the side of Britain, France, and Poland, but also believed that Britain and France were imperialist powers.
- Gandhi was more or less isolated in his stand, and in the end, he decided to go with Nehru’s position.
- The CWC resolution condemned Fascist aggression and stated that India could not be party to a war being fought for democratic freedom while that freedom was being denied to India.
Nationalistic Response:
- The Congress leadership wanted to give every chance to the viceroy and the British government.
- The government should declare its war aims soon and also state how the principles of democracy were to be applied to India after the war.
- The Congress argued that these conditions were necessary to win public opinion for war.
Conclusion:
- India's nationalistic response to the Second World War was a result of its desire for freedom and self-determination.
- The Congress party played an important role in shaping this response by offering conditional support to the British war effort.
- However, the rejection of their offer by the viceroy and the lack of progress on their demands for self-determination ultimately led to a more radical nationalistic response.
Resignation of Congress Ministers, 1939
Reasons for Resignation:
Malicious propaganda by Communal Parties
- Accused Congress of discrimination against minorities.
- Propaganda carried out due to political and communal overtones rather than factual basis.
Opportunists taking advantages of office
- Many opportunists joined Congress during the period to seek benefits of office.
- Gandhi wrote frankly about corruption in Congress in his paper, Harijan.
- Many regions drove to free Congress from such elements.
Issues related to Presidency of Congress
- Two sessions held during the period.
- Fifty First session held in February 1938 at Haripura under Subhas Chandra Bose’s presidency.
- Passed resolutions related to international affairs and internal situation in India.
- Next session (Tripuri) faced major crisis.
- Election held for the President and Bose defeated Pattabhi Sitaramayya by 1580 to 1377 votes.
- Victory of Left Wing.
- Even Gandhiji regarded this defeat as his own defeat.
- Problems in formation of Working Committee.
- Bose ultimately resigned from the presidency.
Inclusion of India in World War II
- Viceroy Linlithgow declared India at war with Britain in 1939.
- Congress objected to declaration of war without prior consultation with Indians.
- Congress Working Committee suggested cooperation if central Indian national government formed and commitment made to India’s independence after the war.
- Government did not provide satisfactory response.
- Congress Ministries resigned in November 1939.
Consequences of Resignation:
- Muslim League under Jinnah celebrated as ‘deliverance day’.
- Nationalists stood behind Congress.
- Individual Satyagraha in 1940 and Quit India Movement in 1942 followed.
- Bose went abroad and led the Azad Hind Fauj.
Conclusion
- The resignation of Congress Ministries in 1939 was a significant event in India’s history.
- The reasons behind this move included propaganda by communal parties, opportunistic elements joining the Congress, issues related to the President ship of the Congress, and India’s inclusion in World War II.
- The events following this resignation, such as the Individual Satyagraha, the Quit India movement, and Bose’s leadership of the Azad Hind Fauj, played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence.
The Lahore Resolution
The Lahore Resolution, was passed by the All India Muslim League during their annual session in Lahore on March 23, 1940.
Background of the Resolution
- The idea of a separate Muslim state was not a new one and had been discussed by various Muslim leaders for decades before the resolution was passed.
- The resolution was a response to the growing feeling of Muslim alienation and dissatisfaction with the Congress-led Indian National Movement.
- It was also a reaction to the Congress' rejection of the Muslim League's demand for separate electorates for Muslims in the Government of India Act, 1935.
Content of the Resolution
- The resolution called for the creation of independent states for Muslims in the North-West and East of India where they were in a majority.
- The states were to be autonomous and sovereign, with adequate safeguards for the Muslim minority in areas where they were not in a majority.
- The resolution did not use the term "Pakistan" to refer to the proposed Muslim state, but it became widely known as the Pakistan Resolution.
- The resolution affirmed the Muslims' right to self-determination and expressed the Muslim League's commitment to the creation of a separate Muslim state.