Congress ministries 1937-39
Topic: The National Movement: Gandhian Era · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
These were Congress governments in the provinces, formed under the Government of India Act 1935. The Congress won the 1937 elections and formed ministries in 8 of the 11 provinces. They released political prisoners and passed laws to protect tenants. Some brought in prohibition, a ban on alcohol. In October 1939 they resigned. The Viceroy had made India a party to the Second World War without asking Indians, and Britain refused to promise independence.
Example
C. Rajagopalachari led the Madras ministry and G.B. Pant led the United Provinces ministry. After the resignations, the Muslim League celebrated a "Day of Deliverance" on 22 December 1939. It claimed that Muslims had been treated unfairly under Congress rule.
Don't confuse with
- Interim Government (1946): this was a central government formed under Nehru just before independence. The 1937 ministries governed only the provinces.
Related concepts
- Provincial elections of 1937
- Wardha scheme of basic education
- Congress Socialist Party
- Haripura session 1938
- Tripuri crisis 1939
- Forward Bloc
- Second World War
- Lord Linlithgow
- Resignation of Congress ministries
- Day of Deliverance 1939