‘Disagreement over the future role of central government in the

subcontinent was the main reason for the breakdown of the Gandhi– Jinnah talks in 1944.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

May agree that the disagreement over the future role of central government in the subcontinent was the main reason for the breakdown of the Gandhi– Jinnah talks in 1944:  Gandhi wanted central government to have control over defence and foreign policy  Jinnah thought such matters should be in the hands of local government and/or provinces counter-arguments might include:  Gandhi felt that partition should not be discussed until after the British left India. Jinnah wanted partition before the British left as Congress were unlikely to agree to it once the British had gone.  Gandhi considered himself to be speaking for all of India. Jinnah reminded him that, as a Hindu, Gandhi was only the spokesman of Congress.  Gandhi and Jinnah disagreed over the ‘Two-Nation’ Theory which had become official Muslim League policy.