August Offer/Linlithgow Offer (Aug. 8, 1940)

                     on Aug.8 1940, the Viceroy Linlithgow came out with certain proposals, known as August Offer declaring that the goal of British Government was to   establish Dominion Status in India. It accepted that framing of a new constitution would be the responsibility of the Indians.

                     It also laid down that full weight would be given to the views of minorities in the constitution. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, President of the Congress, rejected the August Offer which aimed at bringing the Congress in the ongoing world war, The Muslim League, however welcomed the offer as ensured that no further constitution would be adopted without the prior approval of Muslims.

                    The League declared however welcomed the offer as it ensured that no further constitution would be adopted without the prior approval of Muslims. The League declared that the most difficult problem of India’s future constitution could be solved only by the partition of India.

                   In brief, the August Offer failed in gaining Indian’s co-operation for war and, in fact further widened the gulf between the Congress and the Britishers as well as between the Congress and the Muslim League.