The resignation of the Congress provincial ministries in October–November 1939 marked the definitive breakdown of constitutional cooperation between Indian nationalists and the British colonial government. This event directly set off the political crisis that culminated in the Quit India Movement and the wartime polarization of Indian politics.
Background: The 1937 Elections and Governance
Under the Government of India Act 1935, provincial elections were held in early 1937. The Indian National Congress (INC) formed ministries in 8 out of the 11 provinces:
- Absolute Majorities: Madras, Bihar, Central Provinces, United Provinces, and Orissa.
- Coalition/Largest Party: Bombay, Assam, and North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).
These ministries ruled for roughly 28 months, implementing significant agrarian, educational, and civil liberties reforms before the outbreak of global conflict abruptly ended their tenure.
The Trigger: Unilateral Declaration of War
On September 3, 1939, Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. On the very same day, Viceroy Lord Linlithgow declared India a belligerent party to the Second World War.
The Core Constitutional Grievance
- Lack of Consultation: The Viceroy made this declaration entirely on his own authority without consulting the Central Legislature, provincial Indian ministers, or any prominent nationalist leaders.
- The Ideological Conflict: The Congress argued that an autocratic colonial power could not realistically claim to fight for global democracy and freedom while simultaneously denying basic self-determination and democratic rights to 300 million Indians.
The Congress Demands and British Rejection
Before taking drastic political action, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) met at Wardha in September 1939 and issued a conditional offer of cooperation.
The Two-Fold Demand
- The British government must declare its war aims immediately.
- The British must provide a clear commitment to full independence for India after the war, backed by an immediate transfer of substantial political power to an Indian-led central government.
The British Response
Viceroy Linlithgow rejected these demands in his statement on October 17, 1939. He reiterated that the ultimate goal of British policy remained “Dominion Status” (not full independence) at an unspecified future date, and stated that Britain would consult with various Indian communities and princely states only after the war concluded.
The Resignation and Its Political Impact
Confronted with British intransigence, the Congress Working Committee ordered all provincial ministries to tender their resignations by the end of October 1939. By mid-November, British governors took over the provincial administrations under Section 93 of the Government of India Act 1935.
Key Outcomes and Political Shifts
- The Muslim League’s Position: The All-India Muslim League, led by M.A. Jinnah, welcomed the departure of the Congress administrations. Jinnah called upon Indian Muslims to observe Friday, December 22, 1939, as the “Day of Deliverance” from what he characterized as “Congress tyranny.” This event widened the communal rift and paved the way for the Lahore Resolution (March 1940), which formally demanded the creation of Pakistan.
- Shift to Direct Confrontation: The resignations brought an end to constitutional experimentation. The political deadlock intensified, forcing the British to offer concessions like the August Offer (1940) and the Cripps Mission (1942).
- Prelude to Mass Mobilization: When these constitutional offers failed to grant immediate self-government, the frustration built directly into the launch of the Individual Satyagraha (1940) and ultimately the Quit India Movement (1942), where the demand evolved from conditional cooperation to an absolute ultimatum for British withdrawal.