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Unit 8: How Successful was the Pakistan

Movement in the Years 1927 to 1939?
Written by Samira Afzal Syed

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Delhi Proposals (1927)

Q What were the Delhi Proposals? (4)

 The Delhi Proposals were given by Jinnah in 1927 and these were constitutional
proposals for India.
 Jinnah suggested that the Muslims would give up the demand of separate electorates if
the Congress would agree to some other demands made by the Muslim League, such as
1/3rd seats to be reserved for the Muslims in the Central Legislature
 and they would be elected through joint electorates.
 Representatives of the Muslims in Punjab and Bengal should be according to their
population and
 Sindh should be separated from Bombay.
Q Why were the Delhi proposals given by Jinnah in 1927? (7)
In 1927, Jinnah gave the Delhi proposals because by 1926, the Hindu Mahasabha had taken
over the leadership of the Congress which was against the Hindu-Muslim unity. It was an
extremist Hindu organization which was against the rights of separate electorates for Muslims.
The growth of Congress influence worried the Muslim League which feared that Congress was
more concerned with Hindu matters than winning rights for all Indians. Thus, Jinnah wanted to
safeguard the rights of Muslims as Congress was ignoring them.
The League’s suspicion was further increased when Congress refused to support Muslim
demands for full provincial autonomy (which would safe-guard Muslim majorities in the Punjab,
Bengal and the North West Frontier. Nehru, the leader of Swaraj Party suggested Jinnah that if
the Muslims would give up the demand of separate electorates, the Congress would agree to
any other demand made up by the Muslim League. Hence, to defend the political rights of
Muslims, Jinnah gave the Delhi proposals.
Hindu extremist groups started forcible conversions of Muslims. It was time for Muslim League
to fight back. Hence, Jinnah called a meeting of all the Muslim leaders at Delhi in order to
discuss how Muslims’ interest could be protected in future and gave a number of demands to
the British, known as Delhi proposals.
Simon Commission 1927
Q What was the Simon Commission (SC)? (4)

 In 1927, the Conservative Government in Britain sent a seven men commission under Sir
John Simon to prepare constitutional proposals for the new constitution of India.
 All members of the commission were British and not one of them was Indian.
 The composition of the SC was considered an insult in India and all political parties
became convinced that they must settle their differences and work together against the
SC.

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 Despite that the SC presented its report in 1930 called the Simon Report.
Q Why was the Simon Commission sent to India? (7)
R1: To restore peace and stability in India
By 1927, communalism in India threatened the law and order condition and Hindus and
Muslims cooperation ended. The British needed to take action to restore cooperation and bring
peace and stability in India. Hence, the Simon Commission was sent to restore peace in India.
R2: To examine the effects of the Montague Chelmsford Reforms of 1919
The Government of India Act 1919 or the Mont-Ford Reforms had stated that a commission
would be sent to India after 10 years to analyze the reforms set up in 1919 and to make
proposals for the next constitutional reforms. Thus, the SC was sent to examine the effects of
the Mont-Ford reforms of 1919.
R3: The Conservative Party in Britain fear the losing elections
The British Conservative Government feared that it might lose power to the Labor Party, which
it thought was too sympathetic to the beliefs of Indian nationalism and feared that a Labor
Government might give too many concessions to Indians. Hence, the Conservative government
decided to bring the date of the commission forward and in 1927, sent a seven men committee
under Sir John Simon to prepare constitutional proposals for the new constitution of India and
to solve the constitutional problems.
Nehru Report (1928)
Q What was the Nehru Report? (4)
Nehru report was made by All Parties’ Conference in 1928 in opposition for the Simon
Commission. It was supported by all Non-Muslims. The conference was headed by Motilal
Nehru. It asked for Dominion Status or self-rule for India, a federal form of government with a
bicameral parliament and Hindi as the official language of India. It also rejected the separate
electorates for minorities, though it recommended reserved seats in the central parliament.
Gandhi gave a deadline of one year to the British to accept it or face the non-cooperation
movement. Despite the opposition by the major political parties of India, the SC presented its
report in 1930 called the Simon Report.
Q Why was Nehru Report rejected by the Muslims of India? (7)
The Nehru report ignored many political interests of the Indian Muslims. The report ignored the
Delhi Proposals given by Jinnah in 1927. The INC was turning its back on the agreement it had
made in the Lucknow Pact of 1916 by rejecting the separate electorates for Muslims and their
one-third seats in the Central Government. This angered the Muslims and they opposed the
report.

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The report also asked for Hindi to be made as the official language of India. As Urdu was of
great cultural importance for Muslims, it was a threat to their cultural rights. Moreover, as the
Muslims were not well-versed in Hindi, they would not be to get any job in the civil service.
Hence, it was rejected by the Muslims.
Nehru Report also suggested that India should be strong federation with two-chamber
parliament and limited provincial autonomy. This was opposed by Muslims as their demand of
full provincial autonomy was not accepted. Hence, it was rejected as Hindus were trying to
dominate Muslims.
However, Jinnah desperately wanted to maintain the Hindu-Muslim unity by proposing four
changes in the report. He demanded one-third Muslim seats in both the houses of the central
legislature, Muslim seats in the Punjab and Bengal according to their population, more
provincial autonomy, and making Sindh and NWF as full provinces. But these were rejected by
Congress. Therefore, Jinnah called it as ‘the parting of the ways’ of the Congress and ML.
Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (1929)
Q What were the Jinnah’s fourteen points? (4)
The Fourteen Points of Jinnah were constitutional proposals to safeguard the political rights of
Muslims in a self-governing India. Jinnah suggested four amendments to the Nehru Report but
they were rejected by the INC. So, in March 1929 Jinnah presented his 14 points in the ML
session in Delhi. Jinnah demanded the introduction of federal system of government in India
and separate electorates for the Muslims. He also demanded one-third Muslim seats in the
Central Government and Muslim representation in Punjab and Bengal according to their
population.
Q Why did Jinnah issue his fourteen points? (7)
Jinnah decided to issue 14 points in response to the anti-Nehru Report (1928) as it suggested
joint electorates in place of separate electorate for Muslims, unitary form of government (in
place of federal form of government) and Hindi as the official language for India. These points
were clearly against Muslim interests. Hence, Jinnah gave his 14 points to safeguard the
political rights of Muslims.
Jinnah suggested four changes to the Nehru Report. He demanded one-third Muslim seats in
both the houses of the central legislature, Muslim seats in the Punjab and Bengal according to
their population, more provincial autonomy, and making Sindh and NWF as full provinces.
These were rejected by Congress. Therefore, Jinnah called it as ‘the parting of the ways’ of the
Congress and ML and issued his 14 points because Congress was not sincere with the Muslims.
Jinnah also issued his 14 points because it was the constitution-making time. Since 1927 the
British had started their efforts for making the new constitutional reforms of India. Jinnah
wanted the British and Hindus to realize that Muslims were equally important and could not be

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ignored while preparing any future constitution. These 14 Points covered all aspects of Muslim
interests at the time.

Q Which of the following was the most important in the development of the Pakistan
Movement?
i. The Nehru Report 1928
ii. Jinnah’s 14 Points 1929
iii. The Government of India Act 1935
Explain your answer with all three of the above. (10)
Nehru report was made in 1928. This was considered as anti-Muslim as it asked for Dominion
Status or self-rule for India, a federal form of government with a bicameral parliament and
Hindi as the official language of India. It also rejected the separate electorates for minorities.
This meant that there would be no separate electorates or one third seats in the Central
government for Muslims. Hence, it was highly criticized by the Muslims.
However, Jinnah wanted to maintain the Hindu-Muslim unity, so he proposed four changes in
the report. He demanded one-third Muslim seats in both the houses of the central legislature,
Muslim seats in the Punjab and Bengal according to their population, more provincial
autonomy, and making Sindh and NWF as full provinces. But these were rejected by Congress.
Therefore, Jinnah called it as ‘the parting of the ways’ of the Congress and ML. This
strengthened the Two-Nation Theory.
In March 1929 Jinnah presented his 14 points in the ML session in Delhi. These points were a
scheme of constitutional proposals to safeguard the political rights of Muslims in a self-
governing India. Jinnah demanded the introduction of federal system of government in India
and separate electorates for the Muslims. He also demanded one-third Muslim seats in the
Central Government and Muslim representation in Punjab and Bengal according to their
population. These points formed the basis of future negotiations with Congress or the British
Government.
Fourteen Points stressed on the Minority rights safeguard, one-third seats of Muslims in the
Central legislature, separation of Sindh from Bombay and also reforms to be introduced in
NWFP and Balochistan. Hence, these points also created awareness amongst the Muslims that
Hindus and Muslims should form separate nations. Thus, these points became the basis for a
desire for a separate homeland for Muslims of India.
The Government of India Act 1935 introduced a federal system of government which was
disappointing for Indians as they had expected more concessions from the British. The act was
an important point in the move towards independence. It provided the basis for the
negotiations which finally resulted in British leaving India. It introduced parliamentary system

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in which the Indian people were to gain increasing representation. Hence, it was important as
independence was moving nearer.
In the light of the above discussion, the Government of India Act 1935 was the most important
because it paved the way towards independence as it led to elections of 1937 and formation of
Congress Rule which ultimately resulted in the idea of separate homeland for Muslims.

Allahabad Address 1930

Note: Do this from the book
Q What was the Simon Commission Report of 1930? (4)

 In 1927, the Conservative Government in Britain sent a seven-men commission under Sir
John Simon to prepare constitutional proposals for India.
 All members of the commission were British and not one of them was Indian.
 Despite the opposition by, the SC presented its report in 1930 called the Simon Report.
 It recommended a federal form of government in India.
 Reforms should not be introduced in NWFP and Balochistan.
 The power of the central government and the provincial governors should be reduced.
 The right of vote should be extended to more people.
 It also opposed making Sindh and NWFP as provinces.
 INC and ML rejected it.

Q Why was Simon Report of 1930 rejected by the Indians? (7)

The Simon Commission Report did not satisfy the major political parties of India. In fact, all
members of the commission were British and not one of them was Indian. The composition of
the SC was considered an insult in India and all political parties declared it as an “All White
Body”. The Indians wanted their participation in the future constitution making process of India
but the British saw the disunity among Indians and didn’t want any delay in the constitution
making, so they made their own recommendations in the report. This was bitterly opposed by
the Indians.
The INC wanted a federal form of government with most of the power with the Center,
whereas the ML wanted a weak central government with more provincial autonomy. Both
these demands were not accepted by the British. Congress rejected the report and started the
civil disobedience movement.
The ML was also disappointed as the Simon Report did not recommend one-third Muslim seats
in the government. This was against the 14 points of Jinnah. Hence, it was rejected by the
Muslims. However, ML did not join Gandhi’s non-cooperation and civil disobedience movement

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as Jinnah believed that the Congress had started the movement not only to end the British Rule
but also to dominate the Muslims.
Round Table Conferences 1930-32)
Q What were the Round Table Conferences of 1930s? (4)

 There were three conferences held in London by the British where all the political
parties’ leaders were invited to solve the political problem of India.
 Here all the members were treated equally, thus the term Round Table Conferences,
where there was no head seated at the table.
 These conferences were held between 1930 and 1932.
Q Why were the three Round Table Conferences held between 1930 and 1932? (7)
The Indian political community rejected the Simon Commission Report of 1930. However, the
British also refused to grant any kind of self-rule to Indians. This caused frustration among the
masses who expressed their anger in violent clashes. Therefore, in order to review the Simon
Commission Report, they announced the holding of an RTC which was held in 1930. The British
invited Indian political leaders and Princely States’ rulers in London to negotiate their issues and
reach a compromise in an RTC.
The first RTC was attended by many Indian organizations such as Muslim League, Sikh League
etc. attended the first RTC, the Congress did not attend the first one. Since Congress was the
largest party, it was difficult to have significant progress of the conference in its absence.
Hence, there was a need of another RTC to be held.
Lord Irwin, the then viceroy of India, met Gandhi to make arrangements for another RTC under
the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Under this pact, Gandhi called off his non-cooperation movement and in
return was released and allowed to fly to London to attend the second RTC which was held in
1931. After some successful round of talks there was deadlock between Gandhi and Jinnah over
the issue of the rights of minorities. Jinnah wanted concrete constitutional protection of
minorities, but Gandhi ignored the problems of minorities. Hence, the 2 nd RTC also failed.
Therefore, one more RTC was needed that was held in 1932 in order to reach some
compromise about the future constitution of India.
Q What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact? (4)
Note: Do it from the book
Q Why was the 2nd Round Table Conference of 1931 unsuccessful? (7)
The Second RTC was unsuccessful because the participants did not agree with one another. The
Labor Party had lost power in Britain and the new coalition government was not keen to give
concessions to the Indian people. Hence, it failed.

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Secondly, Gandhi declared that the Congress was the only political party which could speak for
all the Indians. He also refused to recognize the rights of Muslims and other minorities in India.
Gandhi’s unfair and stubborn attitude was an important reason for the failure of the
conference.
Thirdly, the issue of minority rights was not resolved and the minority leaders were dissatisfied.
Hence, the communal issue was once again postponed and therefore, the only major outcome
was the creation of two Muslim majority provinces, Sindh and NWFP.
What were the Communal Awards? (4)
Note: Do it from the book
Q How successful were the three Round Table Conferences of 1930 – 1932? Explain your
answer. (14)
The RTCs were held in London during 1930-32. These were held to consider the
‘Simon Commission Report’ and to suggest reforms to solve the constitutional problem of India.
The first RTC was attended by many Indian organizations such as Muslim League, Sikh League
etc. attended the first RTC. It was successful as the princes declared that they would join a
future federation of India as long as their rights were recognized. This was a great achievement
as it was a good step forward for self-rule.
However, Congress did not attend this conference because congress leaders were in jail on
account of non-cooperation movement. Since Congress was the largest party, it was difficult to
have significant progress of the conference in its absence. Hence, it failed and there was a need
of another RTC to be held.
The Second Round Table Conference (1931) was attended by the Congress after the signing of
the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Mr. Gandhi represented the Congress. The conference failed due to
different reasons. The Labor Party had lost power in Britain and the new coalition government
was not keen to grant concessions to Indians.
Moreover, Gandhi took a hardline in the talks and refused to recognize the problems of the
minorities in India. He also declared that the Congress was the only political party which could
speak for all the Indian people. Muslims and other minority leaders did not agree with
Mr. Gandhi. Therefore, the conference could not achieve much.
However, its success was that it was declared that Orissa, NWFP and Sindh (after separation
from Bombay) would be given full provincial status. But the minorities issue remained
unresolved.
The Third Round Table Conference was held in November 1932. It was again not attended by
Congress because of the Non-cooperation movement which was restarted by Congress. British
arrested the Congress leaders including Gandhi and Nehru. Mr. Jinnah also had gone into
voluntary exile disillusioned with the lack of progress being made. The Conference was just a
formality. It only finalized the reports and broke up without achieving anything.

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In the light of above facts, it can be said that although the Round Table Conferences did not
achieve much on the whole, yet the first conference of 1930 was more successful than the
other two.
Government of India Act (1935)
Q What was the Government of India Act of 1935? (4)

 After discussing the summary of the three RTCs in the British Parliament, the
Government of India Act 1935 was passed in August 1935.
 It introduced a federal form of government for India with an Upper House, the Council
of Sates and a Lower House, the Legislative Assembly.
 Diarchy was shifted to the Center.
 A great degree of provincial autonomy was given and three new provinces were
created: Sindh, NWFP and Orissa.
 Right of vote was given to 25% of the Indians.
 The real powers were still with the British as the Viceroy could veto any law made by the
provinces.
 It was sharply criticized by both the ML and the INC.
Q Why was there so much opposition to the Government of India Act of 1935? (7)
The government of India Act was opposed by major political parties of India as many of its
points did not grant Indians the powers they had expected. They demanded complete
independence but the British retained real powers as the Governor General was head of the
Federation and could exert special powers in the reserved subjects. Provincial governors also
had special powers in the two reserved subjects. They had the authority to dismiss ministers
and even the right to dismiss the whole administration and rule by proclamation during a
period of emergency. Hence, the Indians opposed the act.
Though the number of voters was increased by five times, yet ‘property qualification’ for voting
meant that only 25% of India’s total population was allowed to vote in provincial elections.
Thus, a great majority of Indians were not allowed to vote. This disappointed the Indians.
The part concerning the Central government was never introduced because princes rejected
the new arrangements as they resented the loss of power and their identity. Due to these
reasons both INC and ML opposed the act and sharply criticized it. Nehru called it a ‘Charter of
Slavery’ and said that ‘it had so many safeguards that it was like a machine with strong brakes
but no engine’. To Jinnah it was ‘thoroughly rotten, fundamentally bad and totally
unacceptable’.
Q Why was the Government of India Act 1935 so important to the future of the sub-
continent? (7)

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The Government of India Act was very important because parliamentary system was set up in
which the Indian people would gain increasing representation. The act laid the basis of future
negotiations between the Indians and the British and thus paved the way for India eventually
getting decolonized from the British rule.
Moreover, greater provincial autonomy was granted which meant that every provincial
government was allowed to make its own policies. Ministers in the provinces could have control
over all departments except when governors chose to intervene in cases of public order or to
veto a bill they disliked. This was a drawback since it meant that the real power was still with
the British. However, it did provide additional rights for the local population to vote. Now 25%
of the total population of India could vote as compared to the previous 2.5%.
Moreover, provisions for a federal government were also established at the Centre for the first
time, which meant that princely states could decide to participate politically in affairs of the
sub-continent. However, key decisions relating to foreign policy and defense were retained by
the British which was a drawback.
1937 Elections
Q Describe the results of the 1937 elections. (4)

 Congress won absolute majorities in five provinces and was the largest party in four
others.
 It was invited to form ministries in the United provinces, the Central Provinces, Bihar,
Orissa, Madras, Bombay, Assam and NWFP.
 Muslim League did not do well and lost even in Muslim majority provinces of Punjab,
Sindh and Bengal.
 It won only 109 of the 482 seats reserved for Muslims.
Q Why did Muslim League lose the 1937 elections? (7)
R1: Lack of experience and organization. The Muslim League was politically immature and
lacked proper organization, whereas, Congress was a stable organization and properly
organized. Also, it was the first major election for Muslim League and it didn’t have any
experience of how to contest elections and have a planned and organized campaign. Hence, it
could not spread its message across and lost the elections.
R2: Image Problem. Muslim League was unpopular among the Muslim masses as it was
considered a party of aristocrats and princes, whereas many Muslims were poor and illiterate.
Consequently, this led to less votes for ML that led to its failure.
R3: Lack of support in Muslim majority areas. The Muslim League had not opened many
offices in Muslim majority provinces and had not properly campaigned for the elections.
Moreover, ML kept its focus on Muslim minority areas where it had the fear of losing elections.
This led to less support for ML from the Muslim majority provinces which resulted in its failure.

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Q Why were the 1937 elections important for the Muslim League? (7)
R1: Gained political experience. It was the first major elections the Muslim League fought
and helped unify the party after the internal split of the early 1920s.
R2: Improved its Image Problem. Muslim League was unpopular among the Muslim masses
as it was considered a party of aristocrats and princes, whereas many Muslims were poor and
illiterate. INC on the other hand, had been a party popular among all socio-economic classes of
India. Jinnah therefore, made efforts to overcome this image to get support from the grassroots
level.
R3: Improved organization and planning. Muslim League realized its fault of not
campaigning well in Muslim majority areas. So, now it changed its strategy and established its
branches and offices in Muslim majority areas as well. It had learned the lessons from 1937 and
campaigned effectively to let Muslims know exactly what it stood for.
R4: Two-Nation Theory was strengthened. After the victory in the 1937 elections Congress
made its government in 8 provinces. The period of Congress rule from 1937-39 had made
Muslims realize that if they did not stand up for their rights, they would suffer at the hands of
Congress. Thus, the importance of ML increased and was now regarded as the sole political
party for Muslim rights. This also strengthened the Two-Nation Theory.
(d) How successful were the provincial elections held in India in 1937? Explain your answer.
(10)
Successful
For Hindus/Congress:
• Congress won majorities in 5 provinces and largest single party in 4 others
• Saw themselves as the sole party representing Indians
• Led to formation of cabinets in 8 provinces.
For Muslims/Muslim League:
• First major elections fought and helped to unify the Muslim League
• Led to improvements in organization and planning
• Learnt that their support lay in areas where Muslims in minority rather than in majority
• Recognition of an ‘image problem’ as its leaders were seen as not in touch with ordinary
Muslims.
Less successful
For Hindus/Congress:

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• Congress alienated the Muslim League after the elections which led to difficulties in
future negotiations
• Attitude of Congress and Nehru hardened Muslim views towards a separate nation.
For Muslims/Muslim League:
• Relatively poor performance in the elections; out of 489 Muslim seats, the Muslim
League won 109.
• In the Punjab; out of 86 Muslim seats, Muslim League won 1 and others taken by Punjab
Unionist Party
• Muslims felt betrayed by the British who were seen as too concerned with getting the
new provincial governments running rather than being concerned with Muslim rights
• Congress used its new powers to further upset Muslims during Congress Rule.
LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation [10]
The Rule of Congress (1937-39)
Q What was the Congress Rule? (4)
The Congress formed its ministries in 8 out of 11 provinces. It introduced series of measures
which threatened Muslim culture and identity. An educational scheme, the Wardha Scheme of
Gandhi was implemented in the schools. Students were required to bow before Gandhi’s
portrait and any religious education was banned. Singing of the Hindi nationalist song, Bande-
Matram was made compulsory in the provincial assemblies. The three-colored INC flag was
hoisted along with the Union Jack (the National flag of United Kingdom) on various buildings.
Azan was banned and pigs were thrown in the mosques.
Q Why was the Congress Rule of 1937-39 hated by Muslims? (7)
OR
Q Why did Muslims celebrate the Day of Deliverance at the end of the |INC Rule? (7)
The INC introduced many anti-Muslim policies during its rule. The Wardha Scheme was
introduced in all schools in which teaching was to be in Hindi, spinning cotton by hand was
made compulsory in school curriculum and there was to be no religious education. All students
were expected to bow before picture of Gandhi hung in their schools. Along with this, Vidya
Mandir Scheme was also started in schools in which Mandir education was given. Muslims saw
these measures as an attempt to subvert love for Islam amongst their children and convert
them to Hinduism. Therefore, they hated the rule.
Bande Matram was a nationalist Hindu song in which Hindus were encouraged to expel
Muslims from ‘Hindustan’. This was not a Congress policy, but the singing of the song was made
compulsory before the start of official business every day in the provincial assemblies. This
offended the Muslims.

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Muslims were forbidden to eat beef and received harsh punishments if they slaughtered cows.
Azan was banned and mosques were attacked. Noisy processions were arranged near mosques
at prayer time and pigs were pushed into the mosques. Sometimes there were anti-Muslim
riots and their houses and property were set on fire. Hence, many Muslims regard the period
1937-39 as ‘Congress Tyranny’. Hence, when the INC ministers resigned from provincial
governments, Muslims on the call of Mr. Jinnah celebrated the Day of Deliverance on 22
December 1939.
Q ‘The main reason why Congress Rule (1937-39) was hated so much was because of the
introduction of the Wardha Scheme’. Do you agree? Explain your answer. (14)
After the elections of 1937, Congress treated the ML with disdain. In areas where the ML was
the largest single party, INC refused to form coalition government with the members of ML.
Congress also claimed that it represented the whole of India and had power to introduce
measures. It introduced a series of measures which threatened Muslim culture and identity.
The INC introduced many anti-Muslim policies. The Wardha Scheme was introduced into all
schools. In this teaching was to be in Hindi, spinning cotton by hand was included in school
curriculum and there was to be no religious education. All students were expected to bow
before a picture of Gandhi hung in their schools. Along with this, Vidya Mandir Scheme was
also started in schools in which Mandir education was given. Muslims saw these measures as an
attempt to subvert love for Islam amongst their children and convert them to Hinduism.
Therefore, they hated the rule.
Bande Matram was a nationalist Hindu song in which Hindus were encouraged to expel
Muslims from ‘Hindustan’. This was not a Congress policy, but the singing of the song was made
compulsory before the start of official business every day in the provincial assemblies. This
offended the Muslims.
A number of anti-Muslim measures were adopted. The Congress three-colored flag was given
the status of national flag by hoisting it with the Union Jack (the National flag of United
Kingdom). This was done to convey the message that there were only two political powers, i.e.,
British and Congress. Muslims felt ignored by the Congress. This produced hatred for the
Congress Rule.
Muslims were forbidden to eat beef and received harsh punishments if they slaughtered cows.
Azan was banned and mosques were attacked. Noisy processions were arranged near mosques
at prayer time and pigs were pushed into the mosques. Muslims felt that if they lodged
complaints with the authorities, decisions were always made against them.
Sometimes there were anti-Muslim riots in which Muslims were attacked and their houses and
property were set on fire. Viceroy Linlithgow himself talked of many instances of continued
oppression. Hence, many Muslims regard the period 1937-39 as ‘Congress Tyranny’.

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It seems that the most important reason for hatred against the INC rule was the Wardha
Scheme because it was a religious attack. Muslims could not bow in front of anyone except
Allah. Therefore, they saw these measures as an attempt to subvert love for Islam.
Q How significant was the Congress Rule for the Muslim League? (7)
After the 1937 elections, Jinnah had suggested that coalition of Congress-League Ministries
should be formed in several provinces, but Congress refused to cooperate. Jinnah then devoted
himself to motivate Muslims that they must organize themselves if they wanted to resist
Congress to establish ‘Hindustan’.
Jinnah also persuaded the Muslims that Muslim League should get support from the grass roots
level to win the next elections. He asked them to set up branches of ML in many areas, so that
they could work and disseminate their message to the local population.
Jinnah’s efforts became fruitful as the chief ministers of Assam, Bengal and Punjab formally
joined the ML and by mid-1938 membership numbers had grown dramatically. Congress
recognized the importance of the League when talks between Nehru and Jinnah were
organized, tough he refused to accept Jinnah’s demand that the be seen as the sole
representative party of Muslims of India. Consequently, by 1939 Hindu-Muslim relations were
at a low ebb. The Britain, however, was not much concerned for how India was governed as it
went to war with Germany in September 1939.

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