Question

Answer the following question.
Critically assess the working of the Congress ministers from 1937 to 1939.

Answer 1

Congress committed to releasing all the political prisoners. Through the intervention of Gandhiji, 1,100 detainees of Bengal were released. In Uttar Pradesh, many prisoners, including the Kakori prisoners were released.
The Congress also worked for removing restrictions on political exiles but were not successful. The prisoners who were imprisoned by the Central Government could not be released from Andaman jails. Suspension order on the political parties and similar organizations were repealed.

The major achievements of the Congress Ministers were
1. Reduction of the salaries of the ministers
2. Welfare scheme for the tribals
3. Jail reforms and
4. Declaration of fundamental rights.

Congress however formed ministries in different provinces but failed to introduce land reforms. The zamindars and the landowners, especially from interior regions, had an influence on the Congress Party. Congress did not want to lose the support of these zamindars and landowners.

In Uttar Pradesh, most of the talukdars were Muslims. Land reforms might have affected their interests and Congress feared that they would join and support the Muslim League. Congress needed support from all sections, especially the landed aristocracy. Therefore, they did not take many actions in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress ministers could not rule for long and resigned in November 1939 on the war issue. Congress claimed that the Viceroy had involved India in the Second World War without consulting the Central Legislature and the Provincial governments.