Spectrum Test: Nationalist Response In The Wake Of World War II - UPSC MCQ

(i) Criticized the idea of a single Indian Union; 

(ii) Did not like the machinery for the creation of a constituent assembly and the procedure to decide on the accession of provinces to the Union; and 

(iii) Thought that the proposals denied the Muslims the right to self-determination and Pakistan's creation.

• Gandhi was for unconditional support to Britain's war efforts. 

• Subhash Bose and Leftists were to take advantage of Britain's difficulties and start a mass movement to dislodge colonialism.

• Nehru recognized the war's imperialist nature but was against taking advantage of Britain's difficulties, even as he was against Indian participation in the war. 

• The CWC resolved-No Indian participation unless freedom is granted; Government should declare its war aims soon.

• October 1940 Congress launches individual satyagraha; 25,000 satyagrahis court arrest 

• March 1942, Japan reaches Rangoon after having overrun almost the whole of South-East Asia.

1. The INC was against the provinces' right to separate unions separately as this was damaging to national unity. 

2. They were also against the Governor-General's power being retained against him being only a constitutional head. 

3. They also protested the lack of defence share. 

4. There was no concrete plan for the immediate transfer of power.

The Hindu Mahasabha and the Liberals were against the right of states to secede. The Sikhs objected because they thought any partition would leave Punjab in the hands of Pakistan.

• The Hindu Mahasabha and the Liberals were against the right of states to secede. 

• The Sikhs objected because they thought any partition would leave Punjab in the hands of Pakistan. 

• The Depressed Classes objected because they were apprehensive about their status in a country 'dominated by upper-caste Hindus

• The INC rejected this offer at its meeting at Wardha in August 1940. It demanded complete freedom from colonial rule. 

• Jawaharlal Nehru remarked that the dominion status concept was as dead as a doornail. 

• The League also rejected the offer saying that nothing short of partitioning the country would be acceptable.

• The procedure of accession was not well-defined. The secession decision was to be taken by a resolution in the legislature by a 60 per cent majority. 

• If less than 60 per cent of members supported it, the decision was to be taken by a plebiscite of adult males of that province by a simple majority. 

• This scheme weighed against the Hindus in Punjab and Bengal if they wanted accession to the Indian Union. It was not clear as to who would implement and interpret the treaty affecting the transfer of power.