Congress Tyranny 1937-1939

Bande Matram: This was a nationalist Hindu song in which Hindus were encouraged to expel
Muslims from ‘Hindustan’. This was not a Congress policy, but singing of the song was made
compulsory before the start of official business every day in the provincial assemblies. This
worried and offended Muslims.

The Wardha Scheme: This was an education scheme based on Gandhi’s views introduced
into all Congress education ministries. Teaching was to be in Hindi, spinning cotton by hand was
introduced into school curriculum and there was to be no religious education. All students were
expected to bow before a picture of Gandhi hung in their schools. Muslims saw these measures
as an attempt to subvert love for Islam amongst their children and convert them to Hinduism.

The Congress Tyranny: Whilst it was never an official Congress policy, Muslims feared that a
major aim of their Hindu rivals was to erase the Muslim culture. It is true that in some places
Hindu extremists behaved in an appalling way. Muslims were forbidden to eat beef and
received harsh punishments if they slaughtered cows. Azan was forbidden and attacks were
carried out on mosques. Muslims felt that if they launched complaints with authorities
decisions were always against them. Sometimes there were anti-Muslim riots in which Muslims
were attacked and their houses and property were set on fire.

Q1) What was Day of Deliverance? /4

Ans. On 22nd December 1939, Jinnah called on the Muslim community to celebrate the end of
Congress rule. Jinnah appealed to all the local and provincial leagues to hold public meetings to
support this declaration and appealed these gatherings to be held calmly and offer thanks
giving prayers without offending any other community. Congress objected to this celebration.

Q2) Why was Congress rule hated in 1937-39? /7

Ans. The rule of the Congress party during 1937-39 was not liked by the Muslims because the Congress
leaders introduced a series of measures which threatened Muslim culture and identity. The Congress
had formed governments in 8 out of 11 provinces of India and adopted a number of objectionable
policies. The song of ‘Bande Matram’ was adopted as national anthem. This song hurt Muslim feelings
because it contained degrading remarks against the Muslims.

Vidya Mandir scheme and Wardha scheme were introduced in schools. These educational schemes
encouraged Hindu religion and culture. Teaching was to be in Hindi with no religious education which
put Muslim students at a disadvantage. Spinning of cotton yarn was made a part of school activity. Vidya
Mandir scheme was imposed on Muslims and Muslim children were required to bow in reverence to
Gandhi’s portraits which were hung in schools.

The Congress government tried to put a ban on cow slaughter which was disliked by the Muslims. There
were many incidents of disrupting Azan and prayers in mosques. Hindu-Muslim riots became more
frequent during 1937-39 period. The riots were initiated by Hindus but Muslims were made victims in
these incidents .Even in Muslim majority provinces the Congress put hurdles for Muslim League to form
[Link] account of clear anti-Muslim policies, the Muslim greatly disliked the Congress rule of
1937-39.

Q3) Explain how Jinnah transformed the Muslim League between 1937 and 1939. /7

Ans. After failing to unite Hindus and Muslims, Jinnah devoted himself to organize Muslims and bring
them on the platform of Muslim League. At the Lucknow meeting of Muslim League in October 1937,
Jinnah urged the party members to build up support from grass roots. He urged that in 1937 elections
Muslim League won seats in the areas where it had established its branches before [Link] launched an
aggressive campaign to increase the vote bank of the Muslim League. He toured several cities to win
support for Muslim League, and delivered convincing speeches in favour of the party. His efforts begin
to bear fruit, and its membership grew tremendously. By 1938, several thousand Muslims joined Muslim
League including the chief Minister of Bengal, Assam and Punjab.

Jinnah began to urge Muslims to seek political guidance from Islam. He advocated that Islam taught its
followers liberty, equality and strong bonds of fraternity. This has the positive impact on the Muslims
who could now see that their rights and cultural interests were seriously threatened by the Indian
National Congress (INC). Though the Muslim members of the INC criticized Jinnah’s efforts and predicted
his failure, he continued his efforts with strong determination. At the annual meeting of the Muslim
League in 1938, a women’s sub- committee was set up, led by Fatimah Jinnah. This way Jinnah was able
to involve Muslim women in the mission of the Muslim League.

The INC was alarmed over this progress of the Muslim League, and it began to recognize the importance
of the Muslim League. Arrangements were made for talks between Jinnah and Nehru, although INC
refused to accept Jinnah’s stance that the Muslim League alone was the representative of all the Indian
Muslims. Consequently, by 1939 Hindu-Muslim relations were quite strained. Therefore, the Muslims
on the call of Jinnah, justifiably celebrated the Day of Deliverance in December 1939 to mark the end of
INC rule. Finally Jinnah was able to attract hundreds and thousands of Muslims to attend the historic
session of Muslim League held in Lahore in March 1940 in which Muslim League representatives from
Muslim majority and minority provinces fully supported Jinnah’s demand for a separate Muslim
homeland.

Q4) Why was Day of Deliverance celebrated in 1939 by Muslim League? /7

Ans. Muslims celebrated the Day of Deliverance on 22nd December [Link] Britain declared war on
Germany WW11, the Viceroy in India using his emergency powers as given in the Govt. of India Act 1935
announced India’s involvement without taking Congress government in confidence. It meant the British
Indian army would also take part in WW11. In protest Congress ministers resigned from the government
as they were not consulted. It ended the rule of Congress which was largely hated by the Muslims.

With the end of Congress rule the tyrannical policies of Congress also ended. These policies were aimed
to destroy the Muslim Language, culture, and religion. Some of these policies aroused strong
resentment among Muslims as it hurt their sentiments i.e Wardha Scheme. The atrocities of Congress
against Muslims in many areas also ended. The policies such as Band-e-Matram, Widya Mandir Scheme
etc also came to an end.

``Another reason of celebrating the Day of Deliverance was the political shrewdness of Jinnah. It was
large scale political activity from the platform newly organized AIML under the leadership of Quaid-e-
Azam. It can also test the popularity and organizational strength of AIML. AIML can also spread its
message and can seek support of the Muslims who will take part in celebration as their religious identity
was under threat during the Congress rule and they felt relieved. Jinnah a far- sighted political leader
grasped the opportunity and used this event to increase the popularity of Muslim League.