R JHABBU
The Second World War broke out in 1939 between Germany, Italy and Japan on the one side and the Great Britain, France, U.S.A. and Soviet Russia on the other. The Congress opposed the aggregation of Germany and Italy under Hitler and Mussolini and expressed its support for England and her allies.
In August 1940, the Viceroy Linlithgow offered the congress a proposal to set upon a representative body to draft a new constitution for India and to enlarge the Viceroy's Executive Council. The proposal, known as the "August Offer" was rejected by the congress because there was no suggestion for a national Government and it encouraged anti-congress forces like Muslim League. After his long meeting with the Viceroy at Shimla in September 1940, Gandhi was convinced that British would not modify their policy in India.
He decided to start the individual civil disobedience Movement in October 1940 in contrast to the mass civil disobedience movement. Vinoba Bhave was chosen by Gandhi to offer individual Satyagraha. The aim of the movement was to put prtessure on the British Government to accept the congress proposal of Provincial National Government. But the Muslim League opposed the Congress proposal and remained firm in its demand for Pakistan. The Government rejected the Congress proposal.
The unfavourable war situation and international pressure had compelled the British to seek an amicable settlement with India not obtain her active support in the war. In March 1942, a mission was sent to look into the prospects of self-Government in India. The mission was headed by Sir Stafford Cripps, who was a memebr of Britishcabinet. Cripps spent three weeks in India and held prolonged discussions with the leaders of the Congress and tMuslim League.
In his proposals, brought out in the form of a draft declaration, Cripps suggested Dominion status for India. But his proposals were not acceptable to the Congress or the League.