In 1946, the Indian independence movement against the British Raj had reached a pivotal stage when the British Cabinet sent a Mission to India aimed to discuss and finalize plans for the transfer of power from the British Raj to Indian leadership, providing India with independence under Dominion status in the Commonwealth of Nations. The Mission held talks with the representatives of the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League, the two largest political parties in the Constituent Assembly of India. After initial dialogue, the Mission proposed plans over the composition of the new government.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the one time Congressman and now the leader of the Muslim League, had accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan whereas the Congress rejected it[3]. Jinnah denounced the British Cabinet Mission and decided to try and put pressure on Congress and the British, by resorting to civil disobedience.
According to Margaret Bourke-white, in July 1946, Jinnah held a press conference at his home in Bombay where he declared his intent to create the Pakistan. Margaret Bourke-White, a LIFE magazine correspondent, wrote extensively about the meeting. Jinnah proclaimed that the Muslim league was "preparing to launch a struggle" and that they "have chalked a plan" [4]. He had decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly. He rejected the British plan for transfer of power to an interim government which would combine both the Muslim League and the Indian National Congress. He attacked the Congress and called it "Hindu dominated". He said that if the Muslims were not granted Pakistan then he would launch "Direct Action". When asked to specify Jinnah retorted:
%u201C Go to the Congress and ask them their plans. When they take you into their confidence I will take you into mine[4]. %u201D
He further declared:
%u201C Why do you expect me alone to sit with folded hands? I also am going to make trouble[4]. %u201D
On the next day, Jinnah is claimed to have said allegedly on August 16, 1946, "Direct Action Day" for the purpose of winning the separate Muslim state:
%u201C We shall have India divided or we shall have India destroyed[5] %u201D
This quote however does not find favor with Jinnah's biographers. [6][not in citation given] [7][verification needed] [8][verification needed]
In terms of a resolution of the Muslim League Council Meeting held during the period 27 July %u2013 29 July 1946, the Direct Action Day was intended to unfold %u201Cdirect action for the achievement of Pakistan.%u201D
Another account is given H V Hodson in his famous book "The Great Divide" in which he writes:
"The working committee followed up by calling on Muslims through out India to observe 16th August as direct action day. On
