Resignation of Congress Ministries 1939: Reason, India’s Stand & World War II

Resignation of Congress Ministries 1939: India’s Stand Against British War Decision

During the period of British rule in India, the resignation of Congress ministers in 1939 was a significant event. The Indian National Congress issued it in response to the outbreak of World War II and the British government’s unilateral decision to include India in the war effort without consulting Indian leaders. Here’s a detailed explanation of Congress ministers’ resignations in 1939:

India’s Unilateral War Inclusion: Resignation of Congress Ministries 1939

• Britain declared war on Germany in September 1939, pushing off World War II.
• The British government declared India’s involvement in the war without seeking the consent of Indian leaders or taking into account the Indian National Congress’s demand for self-government.

Congress Demands: Autonomy and Independence in Exchange for War Support

• The Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, had been advocating for increased autonomy and Indian independence.
• The Congress had offered to help the British war effort in exchange for India’s cooperation in exchange for significant political reforms and a commitment to Indian self-rule.

Failed Talks: Congress Seeking Self-Government Amidst War Concerns

• Negotiations between Congress and the British government over India’s participation in the war were unsuccessful.
• The Congress felt that their demands for self-government were not being adequately addressed and that their concerns about the war’s impact on India’s independence aspirations were being ignored.

Resignation of Congress Ministries: Protest Against British Unilateralism

• The Congress decided to resign from their positions in the provincial governments where they held power in response to the British government’s unilateral decision and the failure of negotiations.
• Congress ministers in several provinces, including Madras, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), and Bombay, tendered their resignations to the governors of their respective provinces.

Resignation of Congress Ministries: Defiance for Indian Aspirations and Self-Government

• The resignation of Congress ministers was interpreted as a strong protest against the British government’s disregard for Indian aspirations and lack of substantive political reforms.
• The Congress believed that by resigning, they could demonstrate their determination to fight for India’s independence while also drawing attention to their demands for self-government.

Resignation of Congress Ministries: Catalyst for Change in Independence Struggle

• The resignation of Congress ministers had a profound effect on Indian politics and the nationalist movement.
• It represented growing dissatisfaction with the British government’s handling of Indian demands, as well as the realization that alternative methods, such as non-cooperation and civil disobedience, might be required.
• The resignation also highlighted the growing schism between the Congress and British authorities, laying the groundwork for more confrontational approaches to the independence struggle.

After Resignation: Congress Arrests Ignite Quit India Movement 1942

• Following Gandhi’s resignation, the British government declared the Congress an illegal organization and arrested several leaders of the Congress, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The arrest of prominent leaders and the suppression of Congress activities heightened the political atmosphere, paving the way for the subsequent Quit India Movement in 1942.

Conclusion

The resignation of Congress ministers in 1939 was a watershed moment in the Indian liberation struggle. It reflected the Congress’ dissatisfaction with the British government’s handling of Indian demands and signaled a shift toward more confrontational methods of achieving independence. The resignation acted as a catalyst for subsequent events, shaping the course of the nationalist movement during the turbulent period of World War II.

Previous Year Question (Prelims)

Q1. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because: [2012] 

1. Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces.
2. The emergence of a ‘left wing’ in Congress made the working of the ministries impossible.
3. There were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces.
4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct.

Resignation of Congress Ministers (1939) FAQs

Q1. What caused Congress ministers to resign in 1939?

Ans. In October and November 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in protest of Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s action of driving India into World War II without the approval of her people.

Q2. Which province did not have a Congress ministry created under the Act of 1935?

Ans. The Indian National Congress won a majority in eight of the provinces in the 1937 elections, with the exceptions of Bengal, Punjab, and Sindh.

Q3. Which act provided for the establishment of provincial Congress ministries?

Ans. The Government of India Act 1935 necessitated the holding of provincial elections in British India during the winter of 1936-37.

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