The Congress Rule OR The Congress Ministries (1937-1939)

Q1: Why was the Congress Rule of 1937-39 so hated by the Muslims? [7]
Q2: Explain why the Muslim community objected to the rule of the Congress party
between 1937 and 1939. [7]
 Congress had formed the government in 8 out of 11 provinces.
 Congress targeted Muslim identity and culture in the eve of Hindu Nationalism.
 Muslims were upset due to under mentioned Hindu policies;
o Bande Matram was introduced as a National Anthem.
o Wardha scheme (educational scheme) was introduced which made Hindi as
the medium of instruction, removed religious education, made cotton spinning
as the part of curriculum to motivate practical education.
o Students to be bowed to portraits of Gandhi.
o Muslims were killed and abused by Hindus.
o Organized attacks on the maps.
o Cow slaughter was banned and Muslims were forbidden to eat beef.
o Azan was banned and pigs were thrown in the mosques.
 Muslims felt that if they would launch complaint against such atrocities, they would
not get justice.
 So, anti-Muslim riots became frequent and houses of Muslims were set on fire.
 Flag of Indian National Congress was hoisted with the Union Jack on it which showed
that there were only two powers in the sub-Continent i.e. Hindus and British.
Q3: ‘The main reason why congress rule (1937-39) was so hated because of the
introduction of the Wardha Scheme.’ Do you agree? Explain. [14]
Q4: ‘The main reason why congress rule (1937-39) was hated so much by many
Muslims because of the introduction of the Bande Matram.’ Do you agree? Explain. 14]
Q5: Do you agree that the celebration of ‘the Day of deliverance’ in 1939 was justified?
Give reasons for your answer. [14]
Q6: Was the introduction of Wardha Scheme the main reason why Congress rule (1937-
39) was disliked by the Muslim community? Give reasons for your answer. [14]
 Congress targeted Muslim identity and culture in the eve of Hindu Nationalism after
the elections of 1937.
 One of the main reasons was the introduction of Wardha and Vidya Mandir scheme
by the Congress education ministries in 8 out of 11 provinces.
Provisions under these schemes
o Teaching was to be in Hindi language.
o Aimed to encourage Hindu culture and religion.
o Hindu personalities/heroes were projected in the text books.
o Spinning of cotton cloth on the wheel was made a part of curriculum.
o All students were expected to bow before the portraits of Gandhi.
o Attempts were made to convert Muslims to Hindus.

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 Introduction of Bande Matram
o The Muslims had to sing Bande Matram which was written by Bankim Chatterjee
(a Bengali) in his novel ‘Anandnath’.
o It was a nationalist song in which Hindus were encouraged to expel Muslims from
Hindustan.
o It was made compulsory to sing the song before the start of business and in
provincial assemblies. It was also sung in the morning assemblies.
Anti-Muslim Practices
o Muslims were killed and abused by Hindus.
o Organized attacks on the maps.
o Cow slaughter was banned and Muslims were forbidden to eat beef.
o Azan was banned and pigs were thrown in the mosques.
 Muslims felt that if they would launch complaint against such atrocities, they would
not get justice.
 So, anti-Muslim riots became frequent and houses of Muslims were set on fire.
 Flag of Indian National Congress was hoisted with the Union Jack on it which showed
that there were only two powers in the sub-Continent i.e. Hindus and British.
Day of Deliverance (For Question# 5)
o It was the day when Congress ministries resigned because it could not come up to
the terms with British.
o Quaid asked the Muslims to celebrate this day i.e. 22nd December, 1939 as a day
of deliverance.
o Muslims were justified in expressing their feelings by celebrating this day as they
wanted that the British to know that Congress rule was way too hostile towards
Muslim community and if the British would leave India, the Congress would
leave no page unturned to make the life miserable for the Muslims.
Consequently, it can be said that Wardha Scheme was clearly the most important reason for
the hatred towards Congress rule by the Muslims because it aimed at destroying Muslim
identity, culture, language and religion.
Q: What was the Wardha Scheme? [4]
 Introduced by the Congress education ministries in 8 out of 11 provinces.
Provisions under these schemes
o Teaching was to be in Hindi language.
o Aimed to encourage Hindu culture and religion.
o Hindu personalities/heroes were projected in the text books.
o Spinning of cotton cloth on the wheel was made a part of curriculum.
o All students were expected to bow before the portraits of Gandhi.
o Attempts were made to convert Muslims to Hindus.

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