Question 102

Read the following passage and answer the questions: The weeks following India's entry into the war were full of feverish activity. Lord Linlithgow had interviews with leaders of the various political parties in the country. On 18 October 1939 he issued a statement repeating the 'clear and positive' policy of his Majesty's Government that Dominion Status was the natural issue of India's progress. He announced that at the end of the war consultations would be held with representatives of several communities, parties and interests in India, and with the Indian rulers, with a view to securing their aid and co-operation in the framing of such modifications in the details of the plan embodied in the Government of India Act of 1935 as might seem desirable. He also announced his intention to set up a consultative group, representative of all major political parties in British India and of the rulers, to bring about a closer association of India with the prosecution of the war. Nothing came of this declaration as both the Congress and Muslim League rejected the Viceroy's offer. The Congress ministries in seven provinces had already resigned and the administration had been taken over by the Governors. In Assam, too, the Congress ministries resigned but an alternative ministry was formed. Subsequent to resignation of the Assam Congress Ministries