Hindu Mahasabha – Muslim league coalition ministry

During the time of second world war Hindu mahasabha and muslim league formed coalition governments in Sindh, NWFP, and Bengal.

According to critics, this decision is an indication that the Hindu Mahasabha supported the creation of Pakistan collaborating with the Muslim League. Let’s check the facts..

For that you have to know about Government of India Act 1935.

The Government of India act was passed by the British Parliament in August 1935. It was the longest act enacted by the British Parliament at that time. It was divided into two separate acts namely, the Government of India Act 1935 and the Government of Burma Act 1935

The most significant aspects of the Act were:

1) The grant of a large measure of autonomy to the provinces of British India (ending the system of diarchy introduced by the Government of India Act 1919)


2) Provision for the establishment of a “Federation of India”, to be made up of both British India and some or all of the “princely states”


3) The introduction of direct elections, thus increasing the franchise from seven million to thirty-five million people


4) A partial reorganization of the provinces:

• Sindh was separated from Bombay
• Bihar and Orissa was split into separate provinces of Bihar and Orissa
•  Burma was completely separated from India
• Aden was also detached from India, and established as a separate Crown colony

5) Membership of the provincial assemblies was altered to include any number of elected Indian representatives, who were now able to form majorities and be appointed to form governments

6) The establishment of a Federal Court

Provincial elections were held in British India in the winter of 1936-37 as mandated by the Government of India Act 1935. Elections were held in eleven provinces – Madras, Central Provinces, Bihar, Orissa, United Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Assam, NWFP, Bengal, Punjab and Sindh.

The final results of the elections were declared in February 1937. The Indian National Congress emerged in power in eight of the provinces – the exceptions being Punjab and Sindh. The All-India Muslim League failed to form the government in any province.

Viceroy Linlithgow declared India at war with Britain on 3 September 1939. The Congress objected strongly to the declaration of war without prior consultation with Indians. The Congress Working Committee suggested that it would cooperate if there a central Indian national government were formed, and a commitment were made to India’s independence after the war.The Muslim League promised its support to the British,with Jinnah calling on Muslims to help the Raj by “honourable co-operation” at the “critical and difficult juncture,” while asking the Viceroy for increased protection for Muslims.

Source : History of the Freedom Movement in India, Vol. 3 by  R C Majumdar

The government did not come up with any satisfactory response. Viceroy Linlithgow could only offer to form a ‘consultative committee’ for advisory functions. Thus, Linlithgow refused the demands of the Congress. On 22 October 1939, all Congress ministries were called upon to tender their resignations. Both Viceroy Linlithgow and Muhammad Ali Jinnah were pleased with the resignations. On 2 December 1939, Jinnah put out an appeal, calling for Indian Muslims to celebrate 22 December 1939 as a “Day of Deliverance” from Congress.

Both Btitish and Muslim league were happy with the resignation of congress ministers.. The bargaining power of muslim league thus increased.

Congress would’ve opposed the war efforts of the government without resigning ..The bargaining power of the league is increased due to the absence of Congress members in ministry.

Being the 3rd largest party, the Hindu mahasabha opposed partition without resigning from the ministry, because their resignation would result in complete autonomy of the Muslim league.

So, in order to counter this situation, the Hindu Mahasabha formed coalition ministries in Hindu minority areas where the Muslim league ministry seems inevitable. As per Savarkar’s opinion, whatever the situation, the Hindu mahasabha members should oppose the demand for partition & have to stand in favor of the Hindu rights..

Source : Historical statements by Savarkar

Moreover, there will not be any Muslim league ministry, it is either league-hindu mahasabha ministry or league – sikh ministry like the Sindh and NWFP respectively…Savarkar clearly says that if the Muslim league tries to pass any resolution supporting Pakistan, the Hindu mahasabha members has to oppose it..

See how Savarkar & Hindu Mahasabha opposed partition

Later, after the failure of the Civil disobedience movement in 1942, Gandhi wanted to compromise with the British by announcing full support for the war if Britain was ready to grant independence to India..

Source : Collected works of M K Gandhi vol 84

But Congress had already lost their ground support and the demand of the Muslim league for a separate nation attained the stronghold. Gandhi tried several attempts to negotiate with Jinnah, but failed to change his stand. You can see reports of several meetings and exchanges of letters between Gandhi and Jinnah in the national archives.

Click here to see the documents

So the decision to resign from the ministry was not a wise decision taken by Congress.. They failed to represent the voice of the people who were against the partition.

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