Indian History: Quit India Movement and Act of 1935

Act of 1935

• The Act made a provision for British governed Indian provinces and Princely States to form a federation.
• It allowed Indian representatives to take over the working of British governed provinces.
• The Princely States refused to join the federation, fearing loss of autonomy.

Provincial Cabinets

• The Indian National Congress participated in the 1937 elections for Provincial legislature.
• The Congress gained majority in eight provinces and formed governments.
• The Congress Cabinets implemented various reforms, including:
  • Release of political prisoners from jail
  • Introduction of basic education
  • Prohibition of liquor
  • Measures to improve the condition of Dalits
  • Debt relief to farmers

Cripps Mission

• The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India in 1942.
• Cripps proposed a plan for India's future, but it was rejected by all political parties.
• The Indian National Congress rejected the proposal due to the lack of clear mention of complete independence.
• The Muslim League also rejected the proposal due to the lack of mention of creation of Pakistan.

Second World War and Indian National Congress

• The Second World War began in Europe in 1939.
• The Viceroy Lord Linlithgo declared that India had joined the war on the side of the British.
• The Indian National Congress demanded freedom for India in exchange for supporting the war effort.
• England refused to grant freedom, leading to the resignation of Congress provincial ministers in November 1939.

Quit India Movement

• The Indian National Congress decided to launch an intense movement for independence after the Cripps mission.
• The Quit India Resolution was passed on 14 July 1942 at Wardha.
• The resolution demanded immediate independence and threatened a non-violent movement if the demand was not met.
• The resolution was approved at the Mumbai session on 7 August 1942, with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as the President.