Tag: the national movement (during the first world war)

Edwin Samuel Montagu served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922. On 20 August 1917, he made a historic declaration in the House of Commons defining the goal of British policies in India. In the previous month, he had made a scathing attack on the whole system by which India was being administered in a debate in British House of Commons. It is also known as August Declaration of 1917.

On 20 August 1917, Edwin Samuel Montagu made a historic declaration in the House of Commons defining the goal of British policies in India. In the previous month, he had made a scathing attack on the whole system by which India was being administered in a debate in British House of Commons. It is also known as August Declaration of 1917

Edwin Samuel Montagu served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922. On 20 August 1917, he made a historic declaration in the House of Commons defining the goal of British policies in India. In the previous month, he had made a scathing attack on the whole system by which India was being administered in a debate in British House of Commons. It is also known as The Montague Declaration.

The Assertive Nationalists doubted whether the August Declaration could satisfy the people of India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak criticised the declaration as "unworthy and disappointing- a sunless dawn", Mrs. Basant presided over the Calcutta Session of the Congress in 1917.

The Assertive Nationalists doubted whether the August Declaration 1917 could satisfy the people of India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak criticised the declaration as "unworthy and disappointing- a sunless dawn".

Mrs. Annie Basant described the Montagu declaration as something "unworthy of England to offer and India to accept".

The Montague declaration is titled: “Increasing association of Indians in every branch of administration, and the Gradual development of self-governing Institutions with a view to the progressive realization of responsible governments in India as an Integral part of the British Empire”.

The moderates led by Surendranath Banerjee supported the Montague declaration in November 1918 in a separate conference. Thus Congress again got split. The extremist remnants created another front All India Liberal Federation, which soon disappeared from the scene.

Sir S Subramaniya Aiyar renounced his knighthood for the protest against Britishers, due to their response towards home rule league leaders. He surrendered it as a protest against the internment of Dr Besant and her colleagues by the Madras Government. 

The unity of interests and objectives opened the doors for renewed cooperation between the Congress and the Muslim League. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak too played a significant role in bringing the two organizations together.