Q. The Indian National Congress agreed in 1947 to the partition of the country mainly because
(a) the principle of two-Nation theory was then acceptable to them
(b) it was imposed by the British Government and the Congress was helpless in this regard
(c) they wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots
(d) India would have otherwise lost the opportunity to attain freedom
Ans: (c) they wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) they wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots.
The Indian National Congress agreed to the partition of the country in 1947 mainly because they wanted to avoid large-scale communal riots. The communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims had escalated during the Indian independence movement, and the demand for a separate Muslim state had gained significant momentum led by the Muslim League under Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The Congress leadership, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, recognized the potential for violent communal conflicts if a united India was not possible. They feared that a failure to reach a consensus on the future of India would lead to widespread bloodshed and communal riots, similar to the violence that had erupted during the Direct Action Day in 1946.
In order to prevent further bloodshed and ensure a peaceful transition to independence, the Congress leadership reluctantly accepted the partition plan proposed by the British government, known as the Mountbatten Plan. Although they were not in favor of the two-nation theory and the creation of Pakistan, they considered partition as a way to prevent communal violence and protect the interests of the Muslim minority. It’s important to note that while the Congress agreed to the partition primarily to avoid communal riots, there were also other factors at play, such as the political complexities of the time and the pressure exerted by the British government.
