Tag: the national movement (1935-42)

The war situation was discouraging in 1942. The Japanese Army had attacked Burma nad was marching towards Assam.

The Muslim League was jubilant over the resignation of the Congress ministries and offered its friendship to the British government. It celebrated the day when the Congress ministries resigned as a 'day of deliverance and thanks-giving.'

The Congress had formed ministries in the United Provinces, Central Provinces, Orissa, Bihar, Madras and Bombay, Later Assam and the North-West Frontier also came under the Congress rule. When the Congress asked its ministries to resign, the ministries in Punjab, Bengal and Sind did not resign to win the government's goodwill.

In Second World War when the British government of India immediately joined the war without consulting the National Congress or the elected members of the Central Legislature. The Congress leaders asked how it was possible for an enslaved nation to aid others in their fight for freedom. They, therefore demanded that India must be declared free or at least have effective power before it could actively participate in the War. Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy, could not give any such assurance. He declared Dominion Status as the goal of British Policy in India.

The Congress Working Commitee met at Wardha in July, 1942. It adopted a resolution, known as the Quit India Resolution. The resolution stated: 'British rule in India must end immediately'.

In 1942, the failure of the Cripps' Mission left no further meeting ground between the British Government and the Congress. Mahatma Gandhi felt that the British presence in India was an invitation to Japan to invade India and that their withdrawal would remove the bait. He, therefore, asked the British "to leave India in God's hand". The Congress Working Committee met at Wardha in July 1942. It adopted a resolution, known as the Quit India Resolution. The resolution stated: 'British rule in India must end immediately'.

When the change of government took place in Britain, the fall of France and the danger of Nazi occupation of Britain temporarily softened the hard stance of Congress. On June 1, 1940, Mahatma Gandhi declared, "We do not seek our independence out of British ruin".

A change of government took place in Britain in May 1940. Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and Leo Amery took over as Secretary of State for India.

A change of government took place in Britain in May 1940. Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and Leo Amery took over as Secretary of State for India.