Author’s Views: Detailing on the declaration Of India as a combatant country and an ally by the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow on 4 September 1939, the author states protests flared up instantly on this announcement. He later states that neither Gandhi nor any other responsible leader criticized the statement and these criticisms came much later.
The author further states that on 4th September, the Viceroy saw Jinnah and even before that Sikandar Hayat Khan had pledged the support of Punjab and Bengal and publicly affirmed his position irrespective whatever Jinnah and his friends might say.
Quoting from the book “ The Viceroy at Bay- Lord Linlithgow in India 1936-1943, the Author further narrates that Jinnah bargained for a complete reshaping of the constitution as a means of strengthening his hand and to show some thing positive to his followers. He urged the Viceroy to throw out the Congress ministries. On questioned by the Viceroy how India to obtain self-government if not by democracy, he replied that partition of the country was the escape route. The author further states that late in 1939, the Muslim league did not come out openly to support the Government’s war effort nor did they oppose it (page 263)
Comments: The author first states protests flared up instantly on the declaration by Viceroy. At the same breath, he says neither Gandhi nor any other Congress leader criticized the statement. The term “much later” used by the author is relative. It could be hours, days, weeks or months. Muslim support from Punjab and Bengal was instantaneous. There is no record in the book which shows that either Jinnah or any other League leader protested the declaration.
Let us now see the other actual position. Gandhi reached Simla on September 5th on the invitation of the Viceroy and issued a statement. Excerpts “I knew I had no authority to speak for any person except myself. I had no instructions whatsoever from the Working Committee ( of the Congress) in the matter…… I had told H.E. as much. I have returned from Viceregal Lodge without any understanding open or secret. If there is to be any, it would be between the Congress and the Government”
The Working Committee of the Hindu Mahasabha met on September 10. It gave its support to Great Britain and with a view to make such cooperation effective, the Mahasabha urged the introduction of responsible Government at the Centre, revision of communal award and enlistment of more Hindus in the Army.
The Muslim League came out with its war declaration on September 10. It expressed its great appreciation of Lord Linlithgow inviting Jinnah for consultations. The resolution strongly criticized and condemned the federal scheme, and alleged that the working of the provincial autonomy resulted in domination of the Hindus over the Muslim minority, whose life and liberty, property and honour were in danger and even their religious rights and culture were being assailed and annihilated everyday. The resolution warned the British Government that it could count on the Muslim support only on two conditions: Muslims must be given justice and fair play in the Congress Provinces and no assurances must be given for constitutional advance nor any constitution framed without the consent and approval of the League “the only organization that can speak on behalf of Muslim India.”
The Liberal Federation, All-India Christian Conference and the Indian Princes stood for unconditional assistance to the Government.
While every one else was bargaining for their support to the Government for its war effort, let us now see the statement of the Working Committee of the Congress issued on 14 September:
“ The British Government has declared India as a belligerent country, promulgated ordinances, passed Government of India Act Amending Bill and taken many other far reaching measures …. This has been done without the consent of the Indian people….The Congress has repeatedly declared its entire disapproval of the ideology and practice of fascism and Nazism and their glorification of war and violence and suppression of human spirit…… The issue of war and peace for India must be decided by the Indian People and no outside authority can impose the decision upon them…… India cannot associate herself in a war said to be for democratic freedom when that very freedom is denied to her and such limited freedom, as she possesses taken away from her. If war is to defend the status quo, imperialists possessions, colonies, vested interests and privileges, then India can have nothing to do with it…..The Congress Working Committee, invite the British Government to declare in unequivocal terms what their war aims are in regard to democracy and imperialism and the new order that is envisaged and in particular how these aims are going to apply to India and given effect at present." How much later this has come?10 days after the declaration by the Viceroy. (The Congress took four days for debating the issue in their working Committee for drafting their statement.)
On not consulting the Constituent assembly, the author quotes Lord Linlithgow asking (page 261) the representatives of the Crown as to what would have been his position had the Congress refused his request.(regarding declaring India at war). The author adds his own comment that perhaps they would have done so. The point is why should the Viceroy or the British Crown needed to worry whether Congress approves or not . After all even if they don’t approve could the decision of the Crown or the Viceroy be set aside or changed! They were the rulers!
Also to note, there arose no need for the Viceroy to turn out the Provincial Governments headed by the Congress, as was required by Jinnah. They all resigned on their own in spite of the fact that the leadership of the Congress Party was fully aware that they would cease to have any voice and they would give unfettered powers to the Viceroy and the Governors. Still they resigned taking a principled stand.
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