Poona Resolution 1941: Conditional Support to Britain for Indian Independence during World War II

Pivotal Poona Resolution 1941: INC’s Conditional Backing for Britain

The Poona Resolution 1941 passed by the Indian National Congress (INC) that offered Britain conditional support during World War II. On August 8, 1941, the INC’s annual session in Poona (now Pune), Maharashtra, passed the resolution.

INC’s 1941 Shift: Conditional Support to Britain for Indian Independence

• The resolution stated that if Britain agreed to grant India independence after the war, the INC would support Britain. The resolution also demanded the release of all political prisoners, the abolition of censorship, and the establishment of an Indian national government.
• The Poona Resolution 1941 marked a significant shift in the INC’s policy toward Britain. The INC had previously advocated for complete independence from British rule in India.
• The outbreak of World War II, however, caused the INC to reconsider its position. The INC believed that it was in India’s best interests to support Britain in the war, in the hope of gaining independence after the war.
• The INC was unwilling to unanimously support the Poona Resolution. Some INC members felt that the resolution went too far and that the INC should continue to demand complete independence. Others thought the resolution was too soft on Britain and that the INC should not have made any concessions.
• Despite these criticisms, the Poona Resolution 1941 was a significant step toward independence for the INC. The resolution demonstrated that the INC was willing to collaborate with Britain to achieve independence, paving the way for the INC’s later demand for immediate independence.

INC’s Poona Resolution 1941: Conditional Support and Post-War Demands

• In World War II, the INC provided Britain with conditional support.
• After the war, the INC  demanded India’s independence.
• The INC called for the release of all political prisoners.
• The INC  demanded an end to censorship.
• The INC called for the formation of a national government in India.

Conclusion

The Poona Resolution 1941 was a watershed moment in the Indian independence movement’s history. It demonstrated that the INC was willing to collaborate with Britain to achieve independence, and it paved the way for the INC’s subsequent demand for immediate independence.

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