Government Attitude and Congress Ministries’ Resignation

The government’s response was entirely negative. Viceroy Linlithgow, in his statement, made on October 17, 1939, tried to use the Muslim League and the princes against the Congress. The government

● refused to define British war aims beyond stating that Britain was resisting aggression;

● said it would, as part of future arrangement, consult “representatives of several communities, parties and interests in India, and the Indian princes” as to how the Act of 1935 might be modified;

● said it would immediately set up a “consultative committee” whose advice could be sought whenever required.