Second World War and Nationalistic Response

Introduction

The outbreak of the Second World War triggered a diverse array of responses within the nationalist movements of various countries, including India. On September 1, 1939, the Second World War began when Germany attacked Poland. On September 3, 1939, the British Government of India declared India’s support for the war without consulting Indian opinion. 

Indian Political Perspectives on WWII

• Congress Conditional Support: Despite discontent with India’s involvement without consultation, Congress conditionally supports the war effort. Key Conditions:
  • Post-War Constituent Assembly: Congress insists on convening a constituent assembly after the war to determine India’s political structure.
  • Urges the immediate establishment of a genuinely responsible government at the Centre.
  • Viceroy’s Rejection: The viceroy, Linlithgow, rejects the Congress offer. Congress argued that the stipulated conditions were vital for gaining public support for the world war.
• CWC Meeting at Wardha
  • The Congress Working Committee (CWC) adopted the official Congress position at the Wardha session (1942). 
  • Gandhi supported Britain in the world war due to his disdain for fascist ideology and advocated unconditional support to the Allied powers. 
  • He differentiated between democratic Western nations and totalitarian Nazis and fascists and also refused to embarrass the British government during the war.

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• Socialists’ Perspective
  • Opposition to Partisan Support: Subhas Bose, Acharya Narendra Dev, and Jayaprakash Narayan opposed supporting either side and viewed the war as a conflict between imperialists protecting their colonial interests. 
  • Proposal for Civil Disobedience Movement: They Proposed launching a civil disobedience movement to seize freedom from Britain during the world war.
• Nehru’s Stance
  • Belief in Justice on the Side of Britain: He recognizes the difference between democratic values and fascism. He believed justice was on the side of Britain, France, and Poland.
  • Non-Participation Until Indian Independence: Views the war as a result of capitalism’s contradictions since World War I and advocated no Indian participation until India is free. 
    • Opposes immediate civil disobedience to avoid taking advantage of Britain’s difficulties.
  • Alignment of Gandhi with Nehru’s Position: Gandhi, initially isolated, aligns with Nehru’s position. 
    • Nehru’s stance, emphasizing no Indian participation until freedom, is adopted by the Congress Working Committee.
• CWC Resolution on Fascist Aggression
  • The Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution strongly condemns Fascist aggression.
  • India cannot participate in a World War supposedly fought for democratic freedom when India is denied the same.
  • If Britain is fighting for democracy, it should end imperialism in its colonies and establish full democracy in India and the government should declare its war aims promptly.
  • Clarity is sought on how democratic principles will be applied to India after the war.
• Government’s Response and Congress Ministry’s Resignation
  • Ambiguous War Aims: Viceroy Linlithgow, in his October 17, 1939 statement, adopted a negative approach. The government declined to define British war aims beyond resisting aggression.
  • Strategy Against the Congress: The government attempted to use the Muslim League and the princes against the Congress.
  • Establishment of Consultative Committee: It committed to consult various representatives, on modifying the Act of 1935 and the immediate establishment of a “consultative committee” with representatives from diverse communities, parties, and interests in India.
• Government’s Hidden Agenda
• • Provocation and Power Acquisition: The strategy involved provoking a confrontation and then using the situation to acquire extensive powers. 
    • Before the war, emergency powers were obtained for the Centre regarding provincial subjects by amending the 1935 Act.
  • Defence of India Ordinance: It was passed to restrict civil liberties, and was enforced on the day of the war declaration.
  • May 1940 Strategy Against Congress: A top-secret Draft Revolutionary Movement Ordinance was prepared in May 1940 for pre-emptive strikes on the Congress and aimed to justify such actions by portraying the Congress as pro-Japan and pro-Germany.
  • Support for Reactionary Policies: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Secretary of State Zetland supported British Indian reactionary policies. 
    • Congress was branded as purely Hindu, garnering global liberal and leftist sympathy for Britain.
  • Congress as an Adversary: The British government showed no intention of loosening its hold on India, treating the Congress as an enemy.
  • Gandhi’s Critique: Gandhi criticized the government’s insensitivity, emphasizing the denial of democracy for India.

• The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting (October 1939)
  • Rejected the viceregal statement as a reiteration of old imperialist policy.
  • Decided not to support the World War effort.
  • Called for the resignation of Congress ministries in the provinces.
  • In January 1940, Linlithgow stated, “Dominion status of Westminster variety, after the war, is the goal of British policy in India.”

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• Congress Ramgarh Session [Jharkhand](March 1940)
  • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Presides: It was presided over by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. There had been consensus on the need of movement but disagreement on the form.
  • Gandhi’s Approach: Gandhi favoured continued provincial cooperation and offered moral support to the British during the World War on a non-violent basis.
  • Nehru’s Stance: Nehru insisted on complete independence as a precondition for Congress’s support to the British war effort.
  • Bose’s Militant Stance: Bose maintained a militant stance, advocating direct action against the colonial government to force freedom and Seize Britain’s difficulty as India’s opportunity.
  • Congress Declaration: Congress declared that only complete independence would be accepted.
    • Rejected any form of dominion or other status within the imperial structure. Insisted on sovereignty resting with the people, in States or provinces.
    • Decided on civil disobedience when the Congress organization deemed fit or during a crisis.

Conclusion

• The outbreak of the Second World War triggered diverse responses, Some leaders advocated for non-participation until India achieved full freedom, and others emphasized the need for strategic alignment with Britain against fascism. 
• The Ramgarh Session marked a crucial juncture where these divergent perspectives were debated. 
• Ultimately, the war profoundly influenced the trajectory of India’s nationalist movement, prompting strategic reassessments and intensifying the quest for self-rule amid challenging geopolitical circumstances.