Question

Explain the following statement with a reason.

The Indian National Congress approved the partition.

Answer 1

Pressurised by the various resistance movements occurring in India, the British Government had adopted a ‘divide-and-rule’ policy that hampered the unification of the already fragile social classes in India. The Indian National Congress, which was founded on the basis of secularism, was initially opposed to the idea of gaining freedom with a partition on the basis of religion. But at the same time, it was also against compelling the people of any territorial unit to remain in the Indian Union against their declared and established will. This feeling was intensified with the continued riots that India witnessed prior to her independence. Thus, giving to the adamant demands by the Muslim League for a separate Muslim nation, the Indian National Congress was forced to approve the partition.

Answer 2

The Indian National Congress was a secular organisation and was opposed to the partition on religious grounds. However, the Muslim League demanded a separate Muslim nation and carried out a movement for it. Terrible communal riots were taking place in the country. In such a situation, to save the nation from further bloodshed, the Congress accepted the partition.