August Offer & Individual Satyagraha | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

• In 1939, Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India, declared India a belligerent state supporting Britain in World War II without consulting Indian political leaders or elected provincial representatives.

Different opinions were voiced on the question of Indian support to British war efforts:

• Gandhi advocated unconditional support to the Allied powers, distinguishing between democratic states in Western Europe and totalitarian Nazis.
• Subhash Bose and the socialists viewed the war as imperialist, arguing against supporting either side. They suggested using the situation to push for freedom through a civil disobedience movement.
• Nehru distinguished between democracy and Fascism. He believed justice was with Britain, France, and Poland but also recognized them as imperialist powers. He felt the war stemmed from the contradictions of capitalism post-World War I. Nehru advocated no Indian participation until India was free but also opposed taking advantage of Britain’s difficulties by starting an immediate struggle.

What did the CWC Resolution say?

• The CWC resolution condemned Fascist aggression and made three key points:
• India couldn't participate in a war claimed to be for democratic freedom when that freedom was denied to India.
• If Britain was fighting for democracy and freedom, it needed to end imperialism in its colonies and establish full democracy in India.
• The government should clarify its war aims and how democratic principles would apply to India.

What was the Congress leadership's approach?

• The Congress leadership wanted to give the viceroy and the British Government every chance to respond positively.

How did the Government respond?

• The Government's response was completely negative. The Viceroy, Linlithgow, tried to use the Muslim League and the princes against the Congress.
• The Viceroy claimed that Britain was waging war to strengthen peace globally and promised to modify the Government of India Act of 1935 after the war according to Indian desires.
• The Government refused to define its war aims beyond resisting aggression.
• It stated that future arrangements would involve consulting representatives from various Indian communities, parties, and interests, including the Indian princes.
• The Government also announced the establishment of a consultative committee to provide advice as needed.

Government’s Hidden Agenda

• Linlithgow's statement was part of a broader British strategy during the war to regain lost ground from the Congress. The aim was to provoke a confrontation with the Congress and use the war situation to acquire extensive powers.
• Emergency powers were obtained for the central government over provincial subjects by amending the 1935 Act even before the war was officially declared.
• When the war was declared,Defence of India ordinance was enforced, limiting civil liberties. A secret draft for a Revolutionary Movement Ordinance was created in May 1940 to launch pre-emptive strikes against the Congress.
• The British government aimed to portray the Congress as pro-Japan and pro-Germany to gain international sympathy and justify its actions.
• British policies in India received strong backing from Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Secretary of State Zetland, who viewed the Congress as a Hindu organization.
• Throughout the war, the British government maintained its grip on India and treated the Congress as an adversary. Gandhi criticized the government for ignoring Indian public opinion, stating that there would be no democracy for India if Britain could prevent it.
• On October 23, 1939, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) rejected the viceroy's statement, deemed it an old imperialist policy, decided against supporting the war, and urged Congress ministries to resign in the provinces.
• Gandhi's response to Linlithgow's October 1939 statement was critical, indicating that the policy of divide and rule was still in play.
• Resignations from Congress Provincial Governments in eight provinces brought joy to Muslim League leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who celebrated December 22, 1939, as 'The Day of Deliverance.'
• In January 1940, Linlithgow expressed that the goal of British policy in India was Dominion status of Westminster variety post-war.

Debate on Immediate Mass Satyagraha

After Linlithgow's statement in October 1939, the debate on immediate mass struggle resurfaced.

Gandhi and Supporters' Views:

• Believed the Allied cause was just.
• Feared communal riots due to Hindu-Muslim discord.
• Thought the Congress organization was weak.
• Felt the masses were unprepared for struggle.

Proposed Approach:

• Strengthen Congress organization.
• Engage in political work among the masses.
• Negotiate until all options are exhausted.

Congress Resolution at Ramgarh (March 1940):

• Civil disobedience would be initiated when the Congress organization was deemed ready or if circumstances created a crisis.

Leftist Groups' Perspective:

• Led by Subhash Bose and others, viewed the war as an imperialist opportunity.
• Believed the masses were ready for action and urged for an immediate struggle against British imperialism.

Bose's Proposal:

• Suggested forming a parallel Congress for immediate mass struggle if the main Congress leadership disagreed.

Nehru's Position:

• Considered Allied powers as imperialists and leaned towards an early struggle.
• Ultimately aligned with Gandhi and the Congress majority to avoid undermining the fight against Fascism.

Pakistan Resolution—Lahore (March 1940):

• The Muslim League passed a resolution calling for the formation of independent states in regions where Muslims are in the majority, specifically in the North-West and East. The resolution emphasized that these states should have autonomous and sovereign constituent units, with adequate safeguards for Muslims living in minority areas.

Change of Government in England:

• In England, a significant political shift occurred when Churchill replaced Chamberlain as Prime Minister. The Conservative government was less sympathetic to the claims made by the Congress Party in India.

August Offer, 8 August 1940

• The fall of France during World War II temporarily softened the Congress Party's stance in India. Facing the threat of Nazi occupation, Britain was in a precarious position. The Congress offered to cooperate in the war effort, provided there was a transfer of authority to an interim government in India.
• In response, the Viceroy of India,Lord Linlithgow, made the August Offer on 8 August 1940. The key proposals included:
• Establishment of an advisory war council.
• Formation of a representative Indian body after the war to draft a constitution for India.
• Expansion of the Viceroy’s Executive Council without delay.
• Assurance to minorities that power would not be transferred to any government system rejected by significant elements of Indian society.
• The August Offer recognized Indians' right to frame their own constitution and conceded the Congress's demand for a constituent assembly. Dominion status was explicitly offered. In July 1941, the Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to give Indians a majority of 8 out of 12 members, although whites retained control over defense, finance, and home affairs. A National Defence Council was also established with purely advisory functions.
• The Congress Party rejected the August Offer, with Nehru declaring the concept of dominion status as irrelevant. Gandhi felt the declaration had deepened the divide between nationalists and British rulers.
• The Muslim League welcomed the offer, reiterating its stance that partition was the only viable solution.
• In response to the widespread dissatisfaction over the Congress's demands being ignored, Gandhi announced his plan for Individual Civil Disobedience at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee in Wardha.

Individual Satyagraha 1940-41

• In late 1940, the Congress party sought Gandhi's leadership once more.
• Gandhi initiated steps towards a mass struggle within his strategic framework.
• Following the August Offer, disillusioned radicals and leftists aimed to launch a widespread Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Gandhi advocated for Individual Satyagraha instead.
• The Individual Satyagraha aimed not for independence but to assert the right to free speech.
• Gandhi preferred this approach to avoid potential violence of a mass movement.
• He communicated this perspective to Lord Linlithgow during their meeting on September 27, 1940.
• The objectives of the Individual Satyagrahaincluded:
  • Demonstrating that nationalist patience was not a sign of weakness.
  • Expressing the public's disinterest in the war and their rejection of both Nazism and the Indian autocracy.
  • Providing the government another chance to peacefully accept Congress' demands.
• Non-violence was central to the Individual Satyagraha, achieved through careful selection of Satyagrahis.
• The first Satyagrahi was Acharya Vinoba Bhave, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru and Brahma Datt.
• All were jailed for violating the Defense of India Act.
• Initial participation was limited, leading Gandhi to suspend the movement in December 1940.
• It resumed in January 1941 with widespread involvement, resulting in around 20,000 arrests.
• On December 3, 1941, the Viceroy ordered the release of all satyagrahis.
• The British were concerned that destabilizing India might invite a Japanese invasion.
• With Japan having conquered Malaya and advancing into Burma, the threat of invasion was real.
• London sought the cooperation of Indian political leaders to recruit more Indians into the army fighting in the Middle East.