20 Questions
What was the main criticism of the Government of India Act, 1935, by the Muslim League and the Congress?
It was not fully promulgated
What was the outcome of the 1937 elections for the Congress?
It won majority in five provinces and emerged as the largest party in Bombay
What was the performance of the Muslim League in the 1937 elections?
It performed poorly and got only about 21 percent of Muslim seats
Why did the Muslim League not form governments in the Muslim majority provinces?
Due to organizational problems and opposition by local Muslim groups
What was the outcome of the 1937 elections in terms of government formation?
The Congress formed governments in 6 provinces and the Muslim League did not form governments in any province
What was the condition set by the Congress for conditional support to the Muslim League in U.P.?
The Muslim League had to dissolve its parliamentary board
What was the reason for the Muslim League's poor performance in the 1937 elections?
Organizational problems and opposition by local Muslim groups
What was the outcome of the 1937 elections in NWFP?
The Khudai Khidmatgar and Congress formed a coalition government in NWFP
How many provinces did the Congress form governments in after the 1937 elections?
6 provinces
What was the restricted franchise in the 1937 elections?
Only a limited section of the population could vote
What was the main objective of the 'Muslim Mass Contact' movement launched by the Congress leaders?
To defame the ML and gain favor with the Muslim masses
What was the primary focus of the Wardha Educational Scheme?
To convert Muslims into Hindus through primary educational literature
What was the purpose of the Pirpur Report presented by the ML in 1938?
To investigate the cruelties of the Congress ministries in seven provinces
What was the main finding of the Fazl-ul-Haq Report published in December 1939?
The Congress governments were oppressing Muslim interests and identity
What was the outcome of the Muslim League's activism during the Congress rule?
The Muslim community was reorganized and mobilized to counter the Congress policies
What was the significance of the Second World War for the Muslims in India?
It resulted in the Congress ministries' resignation in November 1939
What was the Muslim League's stance on the future political and constitutional arrangements?
The Muslim League urged for serious thinking about the future political and constitutional arrangements
What was the occasion celebrated by the Muslims on December 22, 1939?
Day of Deliverance
What was the primary concern of the Muslim League during the World War II?
The Muslim League was concerned about the omission of Muslims' consent in any future constitution
What was the result of the Congress governments' policies towards the Muslim community?
The Muslim community was disciplined and organized to counter the Congress policies
Study Notes
The Government of India Act, 1935
- The Act was not fully promulgated, but only the provincial part was introduced in the country.
- The Muslim League and Congress criticized the Act, but agreed to contest provincial elections.
The 1937 Elections
- Elections were held with a restricted franchise and separate electorate.
- The Congress projected itself as an all-India force, representing all religions and factions.
- The Muslim League contested for Muslim seats, but faced tough competition from other Muslim organizations.
- The Congress got majorities in five provinces, while the Muslim League performed poorly, winning only about 21% of Muslim seats.
Formation of Provincial Governments
- The Congress formed governments in six provinces in July 1937.
- In NWFP, the Khudai Khidmatgar and Congress formed a coalition government.
- The Muslim League could not form governments in Muslim-majority provinces.
- The Congress offered conditional support to the Muslim League in the U.P., but the League rejected the terms.
Policies of the Congress Governments (July 1937-Nov. 1939)
- The Congress governments launched an anti-Muslim drive to exclude the Muslim League and other Muslim organizations from the government-making process.
- The Congress introduced policies promoting Hindu culture and symbols, such as the Banda-Mataram anthem and the Hindi language.
- The Wardha Educational Scheme aimed to convert Muslims into Hindus through primary educational literature.
- The Congress followed a policy of discrimination in services and new recruitment for jobs.
Muslim Response
- The Muslims were aware of the theocratic inclination of the Hindu people and closely monitored the government.
- They publicized the policies and raised issues, and mobilized Muslims to counter them.
- The Pirpur Report (1938) exposed the cruelties of the Congress ministries in seven provinces.
- The Sharif Report (March 1939) collected facts on the ill-treatment of Muslims in Bihar.
- The Fazl-ul-Haq Report (December 1939) made alarming revelations about the Congress government's attempts to create 'Hindu Raj'.
Muslim League Activism
- The Muslim League highlighted the issues and mobilized Muslims to counter them.
- The League reorganized the Muslim community and arranged its session at Lucknow in October 1937.
- Prominent leaders participated in the session, and the League shed sharp criticism on the Congress policies.
- The League protested against the reduction of the status of Urdu and other Muslim-related issues.
- The League created a realization among Muslims of what can happen under Congress rule and urged for unity under the banner of the Muslim League.
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