CWC Meeting at Wardha (September 1939) – Congress' War Dilemma
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met in Wardha in September 1939 to decide India's stance on supporting Britain in World War II. This meeting saw deep divisions among Congress leaders.
Different Stances on the War
✔ Gandhi’s Stand
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Favored support for the Allied Powers (Britain, France, etc.).
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Believed Nazism and Fascism were greater evils than British rule.
✔ Jawaharlal Nehru’s Stand
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Opposed unconditional support to Britain.
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Stated that India should not fight for democracy abroad while being denied it at home.
✔ Subhas Chandra Bose & Socialist Leaders (Acharya Narendra Dev, Jayaprakash Narayan)
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Saw the war as an opportunity to launch a civil disobedience movement against British rule.
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Wanted to use Britain’s weakened position to achieve India’s immediate freedom.
CWC's Final Resolution
📌 India refused to support Britain unconditionally, stating:
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Britain should first grant India complete democracy and freedom.
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Britain must declare its war aims, including how democracy would be applied to India.
British Response
✔ Viceroy Linlithgow’s Reaction:
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Refused to define Britain’s war objectives for India.
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Only offered a consultative committee with no real power.
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Promised future consultations with Indian princes, community leaders, and parties on modifying the 1935 Government of India Act.
✔ Immediate Action:
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Defense of India Ordinance (1939) was passed, curbing civil rights and increasing government control.
Significance of the Wardha Meeting
✔ Exposed ideological rifts within Congress (Gandhi-Nehru-Bose divide).
✔ Marked the beginning of strained relations between Britain and Congress.
✔ Eventually led to Congress ministries resigning in 1939, setting the stage for the Quit India Movement (1942).