Q. The ‘August offer’ of 1940 sought to conciliate Congress by assuming
(a) the setting up of a representative Indian body to frame a new constitution
(b) the government’s assurance to protect the political rights of minorities
(c) that there would be no partition of India
(d) that separate electorates would not be provided for the depressed classes
Ans: (a) the setting up of a representative Indian body to frame a new constitution
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) the setting up of a representative Indian body to frame a new constitution.
The ‘August Offer’ of 1940, also known as the August Declaration, was a proposal made by the British government during World War II to address Indian political demands and seek cooperation from the Indian National Congress. The offer aimed to conciliate Congress by making certain promises and assurances.
The main provision of the ‘August Offer’ was the commitment to set up a representative Indian body to frame a new constitution for India after the war. The British government expressed its intention to establish a constituent assembly consisting of Indian representatives to draft the future constitution.
This offer was made to appease the Indian National Congress and gain their support in the war effort. However, the Congress rejected the ‘August Offer’ because it did not meet their full demands for immediate self-government. The rejection led to further negotiations and discussions between the British government and Indian leaders, eventually culminating in the partition of India and the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947.
