<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (August 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In 1939, with the outbreak of war between Germany and Britain, India became a party to the war by being a constituent component of the British Empire . Following this declaration, the Congress Working Committee at its meeting on 10 October 1939, passed a resolution condemning the aggressive activities of the Germans . At the same time the resolution also stated that India could not associate herself with war unless it was consulted first . Responding to this declaration, the Viceroy issued a statement on 17 October wherein he claimed that Britain is waging a war driven with the intention of strengthening peace in the world . He also stated that after the war, the government would initiate modifications in the Act of 1935, in accordance to the desires of the Indians . </P> <P> Gandhi's reaction to this statement was; "the old policy of divide and rule is to continue . The Congress has asked for bread and it has got stone ." According to the instructions issued by High Command, the Congress ministers were directed to resign immediately . Congress ministers from eight provinces resigned following the instructions . The resignation of the ministers was an occasion of great joy and rejoicing for leader of the Muslim League, Mohammad Ali Jinnah . He called the day of 22 December 1939' The Day of Deliverance' . Gandhi urged Jinnah against the celebration of this day, however, it was futile . At the Muslim League Lahore Session held in March 1940, Jinnah declared in his presidential address that the Muslims of the country wanted a separate homeland, Pakistan . </P> <P> In the meanwhile, crucial political events took place in England . Chamberlain was succeeded by Churchill as prime minister and the Conservatives, who assumed power in England, did not have a sympathetic stance towards the claims made by the Congress . In order to pacify the Indians in the circumstance of worsening war situation, the Conservatives were forced to concede some of the demands made by the Indians . On 8 August, the Viceroy issued a statement that has come to be referred as the "August Offer". However, the Congress rejected the offer followed by the Muslim League . </P>

Where did the congress working committee first accept the idea of the quit india movement