August Offer (August 1940)
Hitler’s astounding success and the fall of Belgium, Holland and France put England in a conciliatory mood. Hence the government came up with its own offer to get the cooperation of India in the war effort.
Linlithgow announced the August Offer (August 1940) which proposed:
1. Dominion status as the objective for India.
2. Expansion of the viceroy’s executive council which would have a majority of Indians (who would be drawn from major political parties).
3. Setting up of a constituent assembly after the war where mainly Indians would decide the constitution.
4. No future constitution to be adopted without the consent of minorities.
Nehru’s Response to August Offer | “Dominion status concept is dead as a doornail”. |
Gandhi’s Response to August Offer | The declaration had widened the gulf between the nationalists and the British rulers. |
Muslim League’s Response to August Offer | They welcomed the veto assurance given to the League (Consent of Minorities), and reiterated its position that partition was the only solution to the deadlock |