Question

When did the Congress Ministers resign after their formation in 1937?
A. 1938
B. 1937
C. 1939
D. 1940

Answer 1

Hint: Viceroy Lord Linlithgow declared India at war with Germany on 3 September 1939. The Congress protested against the declaration of war without prior consultation with Indians.

Complete answer:
In British India, provincial elections were held in the winter of 1936-37 as instructed by the Government of India Act 1935. These elections took place in eleven states, which were - Madras, Central Provinces, Bihar, Assam, NWFP, Bengal, Odessa, United Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Punjab, and Sindh. As a result of these elections, the Indian National Congress appeared in power in eight of the provinces except Bengal, Punjab, and Sindh. Later in October 1939, the Congress ministries resigned in order to protest against Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's action of declaring India to be hostile in the Second World War without taking counsel of the Indian people.
On the 3rd of September 1939, Viceroy Lord Linlithgow declared India at war with Germany. The Indian Congress strongly protested against this as he didn’t even consult the decision to enter the Second World War alongside Britain with the Indians. The Congress Working Committee suggested that it would cooperate if a central Indian national government was formed after the war and a commitment was made to give India its freedom. However, the Muslim League supported the British. Jinnah called the Muslims to help the government by "honorable co-operation" at the "critical and difficult juncture," while asking the Viceroy for increased protection for Muslims.
But the British government did not come up with any satisfactory response. Viceroy Linlithgow offered to form a 'consultative committee' for advisory purposes. Thus, Linlithgow refused the demands of Congress. On the 22nd of October 1939, all the Congress ministries applied their resignations. Both Jinnah and Linlithgow were glad about the resignations of the Indian Congress ministries. On the 2nd of December 1939, Ali Jinnah appealed to celebrate 22 December 1939 as a "Day of Deliverance" from Congress.

Note: The ‘Day of Deliverance’ was led by Muslim League president Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It was celebrated to rejoice the resignation of all members of the rival Congress party from provincial and central offices in protest.