10 Questions
What was the outcome of the 1937 Elections for the Muslim League?
It got only about 21 percent of Muslim seats
What was the main reason for the Muslim League's poor performance in the 1937 Elections?
It had a weak organizational structure
In which province did the Muslim League and Congress form a coalition government?
NWFP
What was the Congress's condition for the Muslim League to form a government in U.P.?
Dissolve the AIML Parliamentary Board
What was the outcome of the Government of India Act, 1935?
Only the provincial part was introduced
What was the main strategy of the Congress in the 1937 Elections?
Projecting itself as an all-India force representing all religions and factions
What was the result of the 1937 Elections for the Congress?
It won majority in 5 provinces
What was the policy of the Congress governments in the provinces after 1937?
Anti-Muslim drive
What was the result of the 1937 Elections for the Muslim League in the Muslim-majority provinces?
It did not win majority in any province
What was the main objective of the Congress's terms for the Muslim League to form a government in U.P.?
To weaken the Muslim League
Study Notes
Government of India Act, 1935
- The Act was not fully implemented, only the provincial part was introduced in India.
- Both the Muslim League and the Congress criticized the Act, but agreed to participate in the provincial elections.
The 1937 Elections
- Elections were held with a restricted franchise and separate electorate.
- The Congress presented itself as an all-India force, representing all religions and factions of society.
- The Muslim League contested for Muslim seats, but faced tough competition from other Muslim organizations.
- The elections were completed in February 1937, with the Congress winning majorities in five provinces: Madras, U.P., C.P., Bihar, and Orissa.
- The Congress emerged as the largest party in Bombay, winning 704 out of 1585 general seats.
- The Muslim League performed poorly, securing only about 21% of Muslim seats, without winning a majority in any province.
Formation of Provincial Governments
- In July 1937, the Congress formed governments in six provinces.
- In NWFP, the Khudai Khidmatgar and Congress formed a coalition government.
- In Muslim-majority provinces, the Muslim League could not form governments.
- The Muslim League desired to be in government in U.P., but the Congress demanded certain conditions, including:
- Dissolving the AIML Parliamentary Board
- AIML members not functioning as a separate group
- AIML members expressing allegiance to the Congress
Policies of the Congress Governments (July 1937-Nov. 1939)
- All Congress governments in the provinces launched an anti-Muslim drive to exclude the Muslim League and other Muslim organizations from the government-making process.
- The Congress started the 'Muslim Mass Contact' movement to discredit the Muslim League.
- The Congress introduced cultural and educational policies that promoted Hindu culture and symbols in the name of Indian culture.
- The Banda-Mataram anthem was introduced in institutions and offices.
- The Hindi language was given topmost importance in government institutions.
Test your knowledge on the Government of India Act, 1935 and its impact on Muslim politics in the country. Learn about the criticisms and responses of Muslim League and Congress.
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