ABSTRACT
The Muslims had definitely rejected any scheme of federation, and the Congress had refused to consider the demand for partition. The sympathies of most Indians, whether Hindus or Muslims, were nevertheless with Britain in her anti-fascist struggle, and in the first few days of war many Hindu leaders and journalists seemed to think that political controversy would be suspended for the time. The Liberals unhesitatingly offered support to the British war effort, and even the Hindu Mahasabha, though attaching conditions to its help, declared that India must co-operate with Britain in the war. The mockery of the pretended cabinet unity was made manifest to the world, when the Congress party strove hard to secure the rejection of the Budget introduced by the Muslim League Finance Minister, Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan. The Muslim League policy might indeed be described as theoretical neutrality combined with practical co-operation in the war.
