The Central Legislature in British India, 192147. Mohammad Rashiduzzaman

made important political pronouncements to the newly elected members of the Assembly, but on the 28th January, 1946, while the Governor General came to address the newly elected members, he stated categorically that he would not make any striking political pronouncement.¹¹⁴ He also asked the House not to make any discussion which would reduce the prospect of a settlement of the constitutional issues or increase the bitterness already prevailing in the country.¹¹⁵ Indeed, the Legislature did not play any effectual role in the country’s political development from the beginning of the war. The impending Constituent Assembly was expected to assume the role of a forum for decisive political discussion. Soon when the Interim Government was formed in the autumn of 1946, the Assembly lost the status of a hostile critic as the Executive had the support of all the major political parties. There were numerous larger issues and excitements outside: prospects and fear of the expected partition, transfer of power worries, the specter communal killings etc. Yet the Central Legislature was not entirely a neglected institution; numerous important measures in the spheres of fiscal, commerce, industry, post-war development, international agreements etc. were debated in the Legislature. In fact, it was sustaining the Government at a critical juncture of Indian political history.

      Notes

      1. Cotton, H. E. A. Parties and Policies in India published in Contemporary Review, Feb., 1921. See also Chapter III.

      2. Ray, P. C. India at the Cross-Roads in Contemporary Review, Feb., 1922.

      3. Nanda, B. R. Mahatma Gandhi, p. 201.

      4. See also Chapter III and Chapter V.

      5. See Chapter IX.

      6. Nanda, B. R. The Nehrus, p. 341.

      7. See Chapter VI for discussion of the beneficial measures which could be achieved through the legislatures.

      8. L.A. Deb., 1925 (Simla) pp. 24–25.

      9. Hindu, September 9, 1926.

      10. The Times, February 9, 1924. See also Chapter IX.

      11. L.A. Deb., 1924, p. 370. (8th February, 1924).

      12. Spear, P. India: A Modern History, p. 365.

      13. Rufus Isaacs, First Marquess of Reading by his son the Marquess of Reading, p. 295.

      14. Ibid. ← 29 | 30 →

      15. Ibid., p. 296.

      16. Nanda, B. R. The Nehrus, p. 231.

      17. The Times, February 20, 1924 commented that it was utterly impossible to go beyond this enquiry.

      18. See Chapter IX.

      19. The Congress leaders were forced to change their mind and go back to the Central Assembly under the pressure of the Bombay businessmen. Vide, J. J. Coatman’s article “India on the Eve of Autonomy,” Asiatic Review, April, 1938.

      20. Hindu, September 2, 1926.

      21. Ibid.

      22. Hindu, September 16 and September 23, 1926.

      23. The Times, September 2, 1926.

      24. Durrani, K.K. The Meaning of Pakistan, p. 110.

      25. India in 1923–24, p. 248.

      26. Ibid.

      27. Report of the Indian Statutory Commission (Simon) 1930, para. 277.

      28. Lal Bahadur. The Muslim League, p. 163.

      29. Chintamani, C. Y. Indian Politics since Mutiny, p. 140.

      30. Vide, L. A. Proceedings on the 20th, 24th and 25th August, 1926.

      31. The Tablig and Tanzim organisations used to publish their views in the Indian languages—mainly in Urdu and Bengali. A Bengali pamphlet published in 1927 (India Office Catalogue No. BEN. D/609) gives an idea about the nature and activities of such organisations.

      32. The Times, October 1, 1926. See also Chapter III.

      33. Hindu, December 16, 1926. (Motilal Nehru’s press interview on the causes of defeat of the Swarajists in the U.P.). See also Chapter III.

      34. See previous footnote.

      35. See Chapter V.

      36. See previous footnote.

      37. India in 1924–25, pp. 298–99.

      38. The Times, January 15, 1924.

      39. Coatman, J. Years of Destiny, p. 94.

      40. Gopal, S. The Viceroyalty of Lord Irwin 1926, 1931, p. 13

      41. India in 1924–25, p. 297.

      42. Mukand Lal, “Who Should Control the Swaraj Party in the Legislatures,” Modern Review, July 1926. The writer was a member of the Bengal Legislative Council.

      43. The Times. November 26, 1926.

      44. Hindu, December 16, 1926.

      45. Caveeshar, S. S. India’s Fight/or Freedom, p. 146.

      46. See also Chapter IX.

      47. The Times, February 13, 1928.

      48. The Times, February 17, 1928

      49. Ibid.

      50. Sir Reginald Craddock. “Indian Reforms and the Simon Commission,” Contemporary Review, April 1928. ← 30 | 31 →

      51. Rajput, A. B. Muslim League: Yesterday and Today, p. 49.

      52. Indian Annual Register, (July–Dec., 1927), p. 438.

      53. Hindu, December 31, 1927.

      54. Same as above 1, p. 456.

      55. See Chapter IX.

      56. India in 1928–29, p. 27.

      57. Ibid., p. 28.

      58. Coatman, J. Ibid., p. 94.

      59. In his opening address to the Central Legislature on the 9th February, 1921, the Duke of Connaught said that it was intended to serve the whole of British India whereas the provincial legislatures would meet the requirements of individual provinces. See also Chapters VII & VIII.

      60. See Wilson, F. W. The Indian Chaos, p. 87.

      61. Nanda, B. R. Mahatma Gandhi–p. 279.

      62. Gopal, S. op. cit., p. 53.

      63. Nanda, B. R. Ibid., p. 290.

      64. Vide address of the Viceroy, L.A. Deb., 25th January, 1930, pp. 277–82.

      65. Indian Annual Register, Vol. I, 1930, p. 340.

      66. L.A. Deb., 1930, p. 2718.

      67. Indian Review, Nov., 1932. p. 810.

      68. Modern Review, Dec., 1933. Also U.P. Native Newspaper Report March 25, 1933, p. 6.

      69. See also Chapter III.

      70. Ram Gopal. Indian Muslims (1858–1947), pp. 226–27.

      71. Shafaat Ahmed Khan. Indian Federation, p. 13.

      72. Congress and Muslim Society, 1930, a Bengali pamphlet gave elaborate reasons for not taking part in Congress movements.

      73. Indian Annual Register (July−Dec.), 1927, p. 456.

      74. Bolitho, Hector. Jinnah, Creator of Pakistan, p. 95.

      75. U.P. Native Newspaper Reports, Week ending April 17, 1934.

      76. Ibid.

      77. Indian Annual Register, 1934, Vol. II. p. 252.

      78.