PAK-STUDIES NOTES-GRADE 9th

Chapter # 3 – Emergence of Pakistan

3.1.4. Analyze Pakistan Resolution 1940 with Reference to the Events Happening before and after the Resolution in the Subcontinent.

What were the events that took place in India before the passage of Pakistan Resolution 1940? 

Events that took place after the passage of the Pakistan Resolution 1940 are as follows: 

1. Provincial Election of 1937

The provincial Election of 1937 was a significant event in the implementation of the Government of India Act 1935 and led to the Pakistan Resolution 1940. It was conducted based on separate electorates, with the All-India Muslim League, Indian National Congress, and other local parties participating. The Muslim League won only 109 out of 483 total Muslim seats, while Congress and regional parties like the Unionist Party in Punjab secured the remaining seats. This outcome was a setback for the Muslim League, which considered itself the sole representative platform for Indian Muslims. Congress formed governments in 8 out of 11 provinces and made coalition governments in the remaining three, excluding the Muslim League from any government formation.

2. Breakout of World War II and Congress Resignation

Just before the passage of the Pakistan Resolution 1940, World War II broke out between Germany and Britain on September 3, 1939. Britain declared war on Germany, including India, without consulting Congress. This unilateral decision by the British offended Congress, leading to its resignation from ministries on December 22, 1939, in protest. Congress believed that as it was ruling at the provincial level, it should have been consulted on important matters concerning India.

3. Mistreatment of Muslims during Congress Rule 1937-39

During its rule from 1937 to 1939, Congress treated Muslims harshly. Muslim supporters of Congress felt increasingly insecure and targeted. Congress’s actions, such as introducing Band e Mataram, the Wardha Scheme, and bans on beef consumption and cow slaughter, along with alleged attacks on Muslims, including setting houses on fire and causing disturbances during prayer times (e.g., throwing pigs into mosques, organizing noisy processions outside mosques), disillusioned Muslims towards Congress.

Day of Deliverance, December 22, 1939

When Congress resigned on December 22, 1939, the Muslims of India felt relieved. Following Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s advice, Muslims observed this day as a day of deliverance to thank Allah for being liberated from Congress’s tyranny.

Events After Pakistan Resolution 1940

Political developments and events that took place after Pakistan Resolution 1940 was passed are discussed below.

1.Cripps Mission (1942)

The Cripps Mission (1942) was a pivotal moment in British India’s political landscape. Sir Stafford Cripps, along with six other men, was sent to suggest recommendations for new reforms and to persuade the Congress leadership to support the war effort. The mission reached Delhi on March 23, 1942, to hold discussions with Indian leaders. It proposed:

Dominion status for India after the war, with any provinces or states having the option to opt out of the proposed Indian Federation.

A Constituent Assembly to frame a new constitution, with members elected after the war.

However, Congress, observing the weak position of the British government, did not want to offer any concessions. Instead, it decided to use the occasion to pressure the government and demanded immediate transfer of power to a Congress-dominated body. Gandhi described the government’s proposals as a “post-dated cheque on a falling bank.” The All-India Muslim League also rejected the proposals due to a lack of guarantee that they did not contain a reference to the establishment of Pakistan.

2.Quit India Resolution (1942):

On August 8, 1942, the Indian National Congress Committee passed its “Quit India Resolution,” calling for the immediate withdrawal of the British. Gandhi argued that if the British left India, there would no longer be a threat of Japanese invasion. In response, the British arrested most of the senior Congress leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Azad, and banned the Congress party. This led to widespread rioting, and the British regained control through air bombing and gas, resulting in the loss of thousands of Indian lives.

3.Gandhi-Jinnah Talks 1944

In 1944, several letters and conversations were held between Gandhi and Jinnah, but they were unsuccessful. Gandhi wanted self-rule first and then to consider partition, while Jinnah wanted partition first and no other alternative. Gandhi wanted power in the hands of the federal government, while Jinnah wanted provincial autonomy, widening the gulf between Hindus and Muslims further.

4.Simla Conference (1945)

In 1945, Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, announced a plan for the transfer of power to India. To discuss the details of the plan, Lord Wavell invited representatives from various political parties to a conference in Simla in June 1945. The Wavell proposals included setting up an Executive Council as an interim government under the present constitution (Government of India Act 1935) until a new constitution could be agreed upon. The Executive Council would contain an equal number of Muslims and Hindus, with all portfolios except defense and the Viceroy given to Indians. However, the conference ended in a deadlock over the Muslim League’s demand that all five members of the Executive Council should be nominees of the Muslim League. Another British attempt to find a solution had failed.

5.Elections (1945-46)

The general elections to the provincial and central legislatures were held in 1945-46, with both Congress and the Muslim League actively participating. The constitutional future of India depended on the election results. Congress aimed to keep the Subcontinent united, while the Muslim League sought to divide it.

Results of the Election

The results showed that the Muslim League won all 30 Muslim seats in the Central Assembly and 446 out of 495 Muslim seats in the Provincial Assemblies. Congress achieved a similar victory in Hindu majority areas. In Bengal, the Muslim League won 113 out of 119 Muslim seats and formed a ministry in Sindh. Congress’s victory in N.W.F.P was a blow to the league, as it won 17 out of 36 Muslim seats, while Congress took 19 Muslim seats, and Dr. Khan Sahib formed a ministry with Congress. In Punjab, the Muslim League won 79 out of 86 Muslim seats, and Khizar Hayat Tiwana formed a ministry with Congress. Congress won a total of 930 seats, gaining an absolute majority in 8 provinces.

The election results not only divided the assemblies between the Muslim League and Congress but also validated the Muslim League’s claim as the sole representative party of the Muslims of the Subcontinent, affirming the demand for the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland.

6.The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946):

The British Prime Minister, Lord Clement Attlee, announced the sending of a special mission consisting of three Cabinet Ministers to India to discuss constitutional issues with the Viceroy and Indian political leaders. The Cabinet mission included Lord Pathic Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander.

Quaid-e-Azam made it clear to the mission that the Muslim-majority areas should be grouped together to form a sovereign and independent Pakistan comprising six provinces. Congress opposed any partition and rejected Jinnah’s idea. During the mission’s meetings with top Indian leaders in Simla, Sir Stafford Cripps openly supported Congress. Abdul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, and Vallabhai Patel represented Congress, while Quaid-e-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan, Nawab Ismail, and Abdul Rab Nishtar represented the Muslim League, which demanded two separate constitution-making bodies be set up to frame respective constitutions. Both parties could not accept each other’s proposals.

The Cabinet Mission and Viceroy formulated a three-tier constitutional plan, which included rejecting the idea of establishing Pakistan and dividing post-British India into three parts:

1. Hindu Majority Territories,
2. Muslim Majority Provinces,
3. Bengal and Assam.

Each part would have local autonomy and the ability to draw up its own constitution, while foreign affairs, defense, and communication would be managed by a central Indian Union.

Short-term Plan

The mission also proposed setting up an interim Central Government in which Indian nationals would hold all portfolios. Gandhi criticized and rejected the plan, calling it “an appeal and an advice,” while the Muslim League accepted both long-term and short-term plans. The Viceroy broke his promise by refusing to form the government only with the Muslim League. Nehru stated that Congress would not feel bound by the plan once the British had left. The Muslim League felt that further discussions were pointless, as any agreement might be overturned after the British had left. As a result, the Cabinet Plan was dropped.