Post-War National Scenario

Two Strands of National Upsurge:
- Tortuous negotiations among Government, Congress, Muslim League.
- Rise in communal tensions leading to independence + partition.
- Parallel militant mass movements: workers, peasants, state people.
- Major movements: INA Release Movement, RIN Revolt, Tebhaga, Worli, Punjab Kisan Morchas, Travancore struggle, Telangana revolt.

Change in Government’s Attitude:
- Congress leaders released June 1945; expected demoralised public but found huge enthusiasm.
- Wavell Plan failed to break constitutional deadlock.
- July 1945: Labour Party under Clement Attlee forms government.
- August 1945: Elections to central & provincial assemblies announced.
- Sept 1945: Announcement of future Constituent Assembly.

Reasons for Changed Attitude:
- War ended: UK weakened; USA & USSR favoured Indian freedom.
- Labour government more sympathetic.
- Europe had socialist wave.
- British economy collapsed; soldiers tired.
- Anti-imperialist upsurge in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia).
- British feared another Congress revolt + INA influence.
- Elections inevitable after war.

Election Campaign:
- Campaign turned into nationalist mobilisation, not mere vote-seeking.
- Highlighted Quit India repression.
- Martyrs glorified; officials criticised.
- Government failed to block speeches; morale of services collapsed.
- Fear among officials of future Congress ministries.
- ‘Gentleman’s agreement’ needed by British.

INA Trials:
- Mass anger erupted; described as “edge of a volcano”.
- British planned large-scale public trials; major blunder.
- First trial at Red Fort (Nov 1945) of:
  - Prem Kumar Sehgal (Hindu)
  - Shah Nawaz Khan (Muslim)
  - Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon (Sikh)
- Symbolic unity boosted anti-British feeling.
- Indian Army used to restore colonial rule in Indonesia & Vietnam angered people.
- Press strongly supported INA; public opinion became nationalistic.
- No communal clashes; INA issue united all communities.
- Students, youth, workers pledged revenge if INA punished.
- Strikes, hartals, protests spread; momentum unstoppable.

Congress Support for INA:
- September 1945 Bombay Session strongly supported INA.
- Defence team: Bhulabhai Desai, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Katju, Nehru, Asaf Ali.
- INA Relief & Enquiry Committee supported families, employment, food.
- Fundraising across country.

INA Agitation:
- Wide publicity: editorials, pamphlets, public meetings.
- INA Day (Nov 12) & INA Week (Nov 5-11) celebrated.
- Participation across India: Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, UP, Punjab, Assam, Coorg, Baluchistan.
Forms of Participation:
- Funds donated by film stars, municipal committees, Indians abroad, gurudwaras.
- Shops closed; students boycotted classes.
- Kisan conferences; demands for release; women’s conference participation.

Supporters of INA Cause:
- Congress, Muslim League, Communists, Unionists, Akalis, Justice Party, Ahrars, RSS, Hindu Mahasabha, Sikh League.
- Loyalist elites urged government to stop trials.
- INA issue soon became India vs British rather than party vs party.

British Realisation:
- INA trials united India across caste, religion, province, class.
- British understood they could no longer rule India against united national will.

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Subject: Modern History

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