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Why did tensions between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League increase before independence?
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Indian Independence Movement
In August 1947 British rule ended on the Indian subcontinent.
Tensions between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League escalated significantly during the 1930s and 1940s due to conflicting political visions and perceived marginalization.12
Key factors driving this divide included:
- The 1937 Elections: After the Congress Party won a decisive victory in the 1937 provincial elections, it refused to form coalition ministries with the Muslim League in provinces like the United Provinces. This led the Congress to claim it was the sole representative of the Indian people, prompting Mohammed Ali Jinnah to assert that the Muslim League was the only party capable of defending Muslim rights.12
- Governance Concerns: During the period of Congress-led provincial governments (1937β1939), many Muslims felt they were being treated as second-class citizens. They viewed the ministries as biased, citing a lack of sensitivity to Muslim grievances and unequal access to jobs.12
- The Two-Nation Theory: In response to fears of a "Hindu raj," Jinnah and the League promoted the "two-nation theory," arguing that Muslims required a separate, self-governing state to ensure their security, eventually leading to the Lahore Resolution of 1940.13
- Failure of Negotiations: Repeated attempts to reach a power-sharing compromise, including the 1946 cabinet mission, failed as both parties remained deadlocked over the future structure of an independent India.3