Q. Why did Muslim League President Muhammad Ali Jinnah declare 22 December 1939 as a “Day of Deliverance”?
(a) Fascist forces in the second world war were defeated.
(b) Britain declared independence for India.
(c) Congress party resigned from provincial ministries.
(d) Demand for Pakistan was accepted.
Ans: (c) Congress party resigned from provincial ministries.
Explanation: Muslim League President Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared 22 December 1939 as a “Day of Deliverance” because (c) Congress party resigned from provincial ministries.
On 22 December 1939, the Congress ministries in several provinces resigned in response to the outbreak of World War II and the Viceroy’s announcement of India’s involvement without consulting Indian leaders. The Congress considered this move as a violation of India’s autonomy and an act of betrayal. In response, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League viewed the resignation of Congress ministries as a positive development and a deliverance from what they perceived as the Congress domination in those provinces. Jinnah declared the day as a “Day of Deliverance” to celebrate the weakening of Congress influence and to assert the Muslim League’s political stance.