NATIONALIST RESPONSE IN THE WAKE OF SECOND WORLD WAR

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Introduction:

• The outbreak of 2nd WW (1939) evoked a variety of responses among Indian people,
• which was reflected in the Congress as well.
• After prolonged debate, individual Satyagraha (1940-41)
• was launched by Gandhi, but it evoked a lukewarm response.
• It was in 1942, the Congress launched
• Quit India Movement also known as August revolution.

Haripura and Tripuri sessions

• Subhash Chandra Bose was president of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee.
• He announced formation of Independence League; fully endorsed ‘Poorna Swaraj’ decision.

Haripura session (1938)

• Bose was unanimously elected President of the session; instrumental in setting up of a National planning committee later.
• Adopted a resolution that Congress would give moral support to those who were agitating against the governance in Princely states.
• Haripura had been chosen for the convention by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Nandalal Bose, a well-known painter, created a set of seven posters for the Haripura Session at Mahatma Gandhi's request.

Tripuri session (1939)

• Bose decided to stand again for President of congress; Gandhi was not happy with his ideology. Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad and JB Kriplani favoured candidate supported by Gandhi, namely Pattabhi Sitaramaya.
• The working committee is not elected, but nominated by the president; the election of the president is thus a constitutional opportunity through which the membership expressed the nature of leadership of the Congress.
• Subhas Chandra Bose was re-elected but had to resign.
• A resolution was moved by Govind Ballabh Pant, reaffirming faith in Gandhian policies and asking Bose to nominate the working committee “in accordance with the wishes of Gandhiji”; it was passed without opposition from the socialists or the communists.
• Rajendra Prasad was appointed in his place.
• Subhash Chandra Bose formed Forward Bloc at Makur, Unnao as a new party within congress.
• Bose called for an all-India protest against an AICC resolution
• Working Committee removed him from his position as president of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee and barred him from holding any Congress office for three years.

Congress Stand on WW2

 It would cooperate in war effort if: Freedom was given after the war; Some form of genuinely responsible government was immediately set-up

 Sep 1, 1939: WW2 broke out and Britsh declared India’s support for war

 Sep 10-14, 1939: At CWC meeting at Wardha:  Gandhi- for unconditional support for British efforts

 Bose- take advantage of British difficulties and start a mass movement

Nehru- Believed that Justice was on the side of Britain but he also believed that Britain was imperialist power; advocated no Indian participation till India itself was free; no advantage of Britain’s difficulty by starting an immediate CDM.

 CWC Resolution: No Indian Participation unless freedom is granted

 Government should declare its war aims soon

 if Britain was fighting for democracy and freedom, it should be proved by ending imperialism in its colonies and establishing full democracy in India.