Round Table Conferences

Round Table Conferences1st Round Table Conference:British government decided to hold a Round Table ConferenceFirst session was started in London on 12 November, 1930Except Congress, all Indian political parties participated Congress party wanted to enforce completely Nehru Report as the future constitution of IndiaThe Muslim leaders like Mr. Jinnah Mohamamad Ali Jauhar, Maulvi Fazl-i-Haq, Sir Muhammad Shafi, Sir Shah Nawaz, Ch.Zafar UlIah and Ghulam Hussain Hidayat Ullah participated in the conference

DeliverablesAt the conference, approval of a federal form of government,separate electorate for the Muslims,cooperation of princely states for the formation of All India Federation,Sindh as a separate administrative unit formation of responsible governments in the provinces were the most important decisions.It was ended on 19 January 1931.

Gandhi-Irwin PactThe failure of congress Civil Disobedience Movement exposed its popularity in the eyes of the BritishCongress realized the British that no constitutional framework would be workable without the approval of the CongressIn order to get dignity among the British eyes, the.Lord Irwin held talks with Gandhi.The agreement between Gandhi and Irwin was signed on 5 March, 1931

ContAccording this pact,Federation was to be created, ordinance promulgated in connection with the civil disobedience movement would be withdrawnpending prosecutions would be withdrawn prisoners would be releasedfines would be release and fines would be remittedCongress agreed to call off its Civil Disobedience Movement immediatelyCongress would attend the upcoming Second Round Table Conference

From 1st Round Table to Communal Award Second Round Table ConferenceIt was started on 7 September, 1931 in London ,lasted till 1 December, 1931The important participants of the Conference Gandhi, Allama lqbal. While Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar died by the time when the conference was startedContGandhi adopted a stern attitude against the Muslims and tried to give impression that India was a single state and Indians were to be considered a single nation irrespective of the followers of the different religionsHe also remained adamant about not giving any rights to the minorities.Due to Gandhis stubborn attitude, all the minority groups passed a resolution for their rights and Concluded at an agreement and this conference was failed without producing any results.this conference exposed the mentality of the Nehru

Third Round Table ConferenceIt began on 17 November, 1932 and lasted till 24 November, 1932Gandhi and Jinnah did not participate in the ConferenceThe third Round Table Conference could not resolve the long-standing issues between the Hindus and the MuslimsIt proved a mere formalityAn unbridgeable gulf was now widened between the both major communities of IndiaThis conference proved a farce

Communal AwardBritish efforts failed to make a future constitutional package for the Indians, British published their own scheme known as Communal Award

ContAccording to this award, separate electorate for the Muslims and for the other minorities was accepted Ramsay Macdonald promised to recommend to the British Parliament the substitution for the governemnts decision of any agreed solution reached by the Indian leaders themselvesIt failed to give Muslim an overall majority of seats in the Legislatures of Punjab and Bengal

ContIn the Punjab, the Muslims were given 47.6% as against a population proportion of 56.5%In Bengal where the Muslims formed 56% of the total population, they received about 48% of the total provincesIt reduced the Muslim majority in Bengal and Punjab, which was unacceptable to MuslimsThe Award failed to satisfy all the three main communities

Election 1937Congress Ministries (1937-39)

Election 1937Provincial elections were held inBritish Indiain the winter of 1936-37 as mandated by theGovernment of India Act 1935Elections were held in eleven provinces Madras,Central Provinces, Bihar,Orissa,United Provinces,Bombay Presidency,Assam,NWFP,Bengal,PunjabandSindhThe final results of the elections were declared in February 1937TheIndian National Congressemerged in power in all the provinces except for three - Bengal, Punjab, and SindhTheAll-India Muslim Leaguefailed to form the government in any provinceThe Congress ministries resigned in October and November 1939, in protest against ViceroyLord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be a loud-mouthed in theSecond World Warwithout consulting the Indian people

The election results were a blow to the League.Jinnahwas offered to form coalitions with the CongressThe League insisted that the Congress should not nominate any Muslims to the ministries(the League) claimed to be the exclusive representative of Indian MuslimsThis was not acceptable to the Congress, and it declined the League's offerIn three additional provinces, Central Provinces, Bihar, and Orissa, the Congress won clear majorities.In the overwhelmingly Muslim North-West Frontier Province, Congress won 19 out of 50 seats and was able, with minor party support, to form a ministry

SindSind Legislative Assembly had 60 membersThe Sind United Party emerged the leader with 22 seats, and the Congress secured 8 seatsJinnah tried to set up a League Parliamentary Board in Sindh in 1936, but he failed, though 72% of the population was Muslim.Though 34 seats were reserved for Muslims, the Muslim League could secure none of themPunjabThe Unionist Party under Sikander Hyat Khan formed the government in Punjab with 67 out of 175 seats.The Congress won 18 seats and the Akali Dal, 10Bangal In Bengal, though the Congress was the largest party (with 52 seats), The Krishak Praja Party of A. K. Fazlul Huq (with 36 seats) was able to form a coalition governmentUnited ProvincesThe UP legislature consisted of a Legislative Council of 52 and a Legislative Assembly of 228 elected membersThe Congress won a clear majority in the United Provinces, with 133 seats, while the Muslim League won only 27 out of the 64 seats reserved for Muslims

Congress ministriesOutline: Congress MinistriesIntroduction:Aspects of Congress MinistriesAtrocities of Congress Ministries:Muslim ReactionResignation of Congress MinistriesImpacts of Congress Ministries:ConclusionCongress Ministries 1939IntroductionThe establishment of Congress Ministries was a unique episode in the Modern history of Political IndiaIt was for the first time that the responsible government was establishedCongress MinistriesUnder Britain rule and for the first time, Indians were able to form their own government But the Congress rule was not free from controversyRule was marked by the Congress discrimination and atrocities against the MuslimsIt proved to be a turning point in the history of Hindu-Muslim co-existenceCongress ministries had defining role in the alienation of Muslim India from the yoke of Hindu India

Atrocities of CongressCongress conspiracies against All India Muslim League (AIML)Hindu Conspiracies to erode the identity of MuslimsEconomic ExploitationReligious interferenceCommunal Violence

Atrocities of Congress Ministries:Congress conspiracy against All India Muslim League (AIML)Congress started its efforts to destroy All India Muslim League (AIML) in the subcontinentCongresss refusal to form government coalition with leagueCongress refused to form the coalition governments with the All India Muslim League in the provinces of the subcontinent

Congress humiliating conditions for AIML in UP UP s a province had a great importance due to four factors; like the citadel of Mughal glory, development of Hindu culture due to Hindu-Muslim social intermixture, and the home province of NehruAhmad Saeed wrote in his book, Trek to Pakistan, It was commonly and popularly believed that agreement between the Hindus and the Muslims in this province was bound to throw its shadow on the whole of the subcontinent. In the UP. Legislative Assembly, the number of elected Muslim members was 66 Mualana Azad, the, president of the Congress wrote a letter to Ch Khaliq-uz-Zaman about the formation of coalition government But this letter had the following conditions

Conditions to join Collusion Govt.The UP Muslim League Parliamentary Party cease to existThe existing members of the Muslim League Party in the Assembly shall become a part of the Congress PartyThese new members of the Congress would abide by the code of conduct prepared by the Working Committee of the Congress Muslim League Parliamentary Board would be dissolved and the League would not be put up its own candidates in any future electionsIn the event the Congress Party deciding on resignation from the Ministry or the Assembly seats, the new members would follow suitMuslim League, therefore, rejected these terms and a pure Congress ministry was formed in the United ProvincesRole in the fall of Sir Saad Ullah government in AssamCongress played a major role in the fall of Sir Saad Ullah government in Assam Khalid bin Sayeed mentions about the remarks of Sir Harry Haig, Goyernor of UP, The enthusiasm of the masses for Congress Raj melted imperceptibly into idea of Hindu Raj, which were certainly prevalent throughout the Province. These ideas were deeply resented by the Muslims, who were invincibly determined not to be ruled by the Hindus.Nehrus Mass contact campaignNehru and the Congress leaders started to build direct link with the Muslims and tried to remove their narrow mindedness and prejudice against the HindusThough they offered ministries to the Leaguers, but they had to sign unconditionallyMeanwhile Congress also hired the services of Maulvis to create split among the Muslims

Hindu Conspiracies to erode the identity of MuslimsEducational policies:Immediately after coming to power, the Congress declared a Tri-colour flag (Taranga) as the national flag and Band-e-Matram as national anthemWardha Educational Scheme was preparedCo educationTeaching of music as compulsoryThe publication of books described and propagated that all the religions were genuine and, therefore, there was no need to follow any particular religion for salvationIn Behar and C.P., a new scheme known as Vidhya Mandar SchemeThe Muslims were supposed to study Hindi or Marhati languageThe Muslims rejected such proposals and started agitation in front of the secretariat atl Nagpur in January, 1939. Its main purpose was to prepare the generation of the Muslims devoid of knowledge and insensitive to their past cultural glory, civilization and religion The educational policy of the Congress was aimed to put an emphasis on the hind nationalism of the IndiansMuslim students were persuaded to bow before the portrait of GandhiContEconomic Exploitation.The doors of employment Opportunities for the Muslims were closed by the Congress PartyEconomic exploitation for the Muslims BusinessReligious interferenceThey prohibited the cow slaughtering and introduced the criminal Jaws against the claimants of this rule, such steps were against the religious beliefs and practices of the Muslims Communal ViolenceDuring the Congress governed provinces communal riots started between the Muslims and the HindusTill august of 1939, there had been 57 communal riots with 11,100 casualties

Muslim ReactionMuslim league tried to cope up situation through constitutional wars and tried hard to find rapprochement with HindusIn 1938, AIML passed a resolution and asked Congress to address the major grievances of MuslimsAIML was forced to change its creed and Quaid-e presented Pir-Pur report, Shareef Report, Fazl-ul- Haq Report Resignation of Congress Ministries:Muslims observed 22 October, 1939 as Day of Deliverance Congress resigned on the pretext that Britain inducted army in 2 World War Without the approved consent of Congress and representative institutions

The Pirpur Report:The first report is entitled as the PIRPUR REPORT which came out on March 28, 1938, the Council of ML appointed an eight-member committee under the presidentship of Raja Syed Muhammad Mehdi of Pirpur that presented its report on, November 15, 1938. It tried to dig out the cruelties of the Congress ministries in seven provinces. The report took up the Congress support to the rival Muslim organizations, intimidation and threats to the pro-Muslim League people. This report also talks about the policies which the Congress in different provinces and how those policies adversely affected the people of those provinces.The Sharif Report, March 1939There is another report the Sharif Report that was released in March 1939, and this report focuses on the province of Bihar, what was the Congress ministries doing in Bihar and how the Muslims suffered under the govt of Congress in Bihar. The ML deputed Mr. Sharif with members to investigate the injustices under the dictatorial rule of the Hindus. This report mainly collected the facts, concentrating on ill treatment of the government with the Muslims inBihar.The Fazl-ul- Haq Report: (December 1939)The third report is a statement or a detailed account given by the chief minister of BengalA. K. Fazl-ul-Haq, who published a pamphlet entitled Muslim Sufferings Under the Rule of Congress and made many alarming revelations e.g. forbidding of Azan, attacks in mosques, noisy processions of the Hindu scoundrels, forbidding of the cow-slaughter etc. This pamphlet responded the indictments by the Congress on the Muslims. At that time the chief minister was described or labeled as the premier. This report was a list of complaints and grievances which the Muslims developed against the Congress ministries in different parts ofIndia.Impacts of Congress MinistriesAlienation of Muslim India from HindusCongress ministries shattered all the dreams of united India and Hindu Muslim unityMuslims became thoroughly alienated from India and became disillusioned from the policies of CongressIt is evident from the rising popularity of League during by pollsExposed Hindu Mentality:Muslims realized that Hindu! Congress could never be sincere to Muslims Hindus want establish Ram Raj in Indian Congress ministries created among the Muslims a realization that the rule of Congress was a trailer if they occupied power, what they would do to MuslimsThe Congress would reduce the Muslims to the perpetual minority, groaning under the yoke of tyrant majorityCont.Deep sense of insecurity among Muslims:Congress rule aroused a deep Muslim Suspicion that Hindu can never be their friends and it went a long way in shaping their futureGave strong Impetus! Boost to Muslim Nationalism:Congress rule reinforced Muslim belief in their exclusive identityThis led to tow nation theory and specific ideology i.e. ideology of PakistanTransformation in the Outlook of JinnahCongress Ministries brought a paradigm shift in the strategy of JinnahIn the beginning Jinnah was willing to form coalition ministries and cooperate with it, later he became champion of Muslim and Pakistan causeHe started his campaign and emerged as a s Muslim leader

ContPopularity of Demand of Pakistan:1938 that Sind Assembly passed a resolution in favour of Pakistan. In 1938Jinnah instructed the Muslim Leaders to look into various partition proposalsIn February, 1940 The proposal was laid open for discussion during the 27 annual session of AIML which was held between 22-24 March which is known as Lahore ResolutionBrought Muslim Provincial Leaders close to JinnahThose Muslim leaders like Moulvi Fazal Haq, Sir Sikandar Hayat, Sir Saadullah Khan feared the dominance of Congress and joined AIML Jinnah emerged as an undisputed leader of Muslims:Jinnah rose as an undisputed Muslim Leader and sole spokesman of LeagueHe was bestowed With the title of Quaid-e during Patna session of League in 1938This was also synchronized in the change of Jinnahs cap and shairwani, a typical Muslim dress which symbolized that he had changed his role from champion of Hindu-Muslim unity to the champion of Muslim separatism in India Significance of Muslims in British eyesThis created a vacuum which was eventually filled by MuslimsBritish realized the importance of Muslim India as it needed Muslim support for their war effortsBritish realized that there were not two parties, but three parties, Hindus, Muslims and BritishThis change in British outlook is also evident from the British policies in 1940s as all their offers / packages! deals for Hindu Muslim question gave Substantial weightage. to the Muslim demands.August offer, Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission, 3 June Plan are examples of itConclusionStart of a New Phase-Muslim SeperatismEnd of Hindu Muslim UnityAIML as Sole RepresentativeCongress was no more a liberal PartyDream of Hindu RajMuslim NationalismMuslim Culture (Jinnah Cap, Shirwani)Muslim Identity in the eyes of BritishMuslim IdeologyStrengthening Two Nation Theory