Correct Answer - Option 4 : The Congress, The British, and the Muslim League
The All-India Muslim League session was held in Lucknow on 15th October 1937. In his presidential address Jinnah said:
“The Muslim League stands for full national democratic self-government for India. Various phrases are used such as, Purna Swaraj, Self-government, complete independence, a responsible government, and Dominion Status. There are some who talk of complete independence. But it is no use having complete independence on your lips and the Government of India Act 1935, in your hand. These paper declarations, slogans and shibboleths are not going to carry us anywhere. What India requires is a complete united front and honesty of purpose and then by whatever name you may call your Government is a matter of no consequence, so long as it is a Government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Drawing the attention of his audience to the burning questions like the enforcement of Bande Mataram, and the Congress Flag, Jinnah explained how the Hindu Governments were influencing all and sundry to obey their mandates in these regards. “On the very threshold,” he said, “of what little power and responsibility is given, the majority community has clearly shown their hand that Hindustan is for Hindus. The result of the present Congress policy will be class bitterness, communal war, and strengthening of the Imperialistic hold. As a consequence, I dare say, that the British Government will give Congress a free hand in this direction. I feel that a fearful reaction will set in when the Congress has created more and more divisions amongst Indians themselves and made the united front impossible.”
Jinnah declared that were three entities in India: The Congress, The British, and the Muslim League
Analysing the Congress attitude towards the Hindu-Muslim question and the minority problem, Jinnah said:
“The present leadership of the Congress during the last ten years has been responsible for alienating the Musalmans of India more and more, by pursuing a policy which is exclusively Hindu; and since they have formed Governments in the six provinces where they are in majority; they have by their words, deeds and programs shown, more and more, that the Musalmans cannot expect any justice or fair play at their hands. Wherever they were in a majority and wherever it suited them, they refused to cooperate with the Muslim League parties and demanded unconditional surrender and the signing of their pledge.”
Jinnah for the first time at this session appeared in a black punjabi sherwani (long coat) and loose trousers and black Persian lamb cap, which later came to be known as ‘Jinnah Cap’ shedding the Saville Row suit.
Gandhi immediately wrote to Jinnah: “I carefully went through your speech. As I read it, it is a declaration of war.” Jinnah replied: “I am sorry you think my speech at Lucknow is a declaration of war. It is purely in self-defence. Kindly read it again and try to understand it; evidently, you have not been following the course of events of the last twelve months.”
