Cripps Mission | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction to Cripps Mission

• In March 1942, a mission led by Stafford Cripps was sent to India with constitutional proposals to seek Indian support for the war.
• Stafford Cripps was a left-wing Labourite, the leader of the House of Commons, and a government minister in the War Cabinet of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He had actively supported the Indian national movement.

Reasons for Sending the Cripps Mission

• To secure full Indian cooperation and support for the war effort due to the setbacks Britain faced in South-East Asia and the real threat of Japanese invasion of India.
• Pressure from Allies (USA, USSR, and China) to seek Indian cooperation.
• Indian nationalists agreed to support the Allied cause if substantial power was transferred immediately and complete independence was promised after the war.

During this period, the Indian National Congress was divided in its response to India’s involvement in World War II:

• Some Congress leaders advocated for a revolt against the British, while others, like Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, proposed supporting the British in hopes of receiving independence after the war.
• Mohandas Gandhi opposed Indian involvement in the war, doubting British sincerity regarding Indian independence.
• Rajagopalachari, supported by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Azad, and Jawaharlal Nehru, negotiated with Cripps, offering full support in exchange for immediate self-government and eventual independence.

Jinnah and the Muslim League:

• Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, supported the war effort and criticized Congress's approach.
• Jinnah advocated for a separate Muslim state, Pakistan, and rejected Congress's calls for pan-Indian cooperation and immediate independence.

Proposals

• Establish an Indian Union with dominion status, allowing it to determine its own relationships with the Commonwealth and participate in the United Nations and other international organizations.
• After the war, convene a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution, with members elected by provincial assemblies and nominated by princes.
• The British Government would approve the new constitution with conditions allowing provinces to opt out and requiring a treaty to transfer power and protect minority rights.
• In the interim, British control over India's defense would continue, and the governor-general's powers would remain unchanged.

Departures from the Past and Implications:

• The constitution-making process would be entirely in Indian hands, a shift from previous arrangements.
• A detailed plan for the constituent assembly was outlined.
• Provinces were given the option to create separate constitutions, hinting at the possibility of partition.
• Independent India could choose to withdraw from the Commonwealth.
• Indians were granted significant administrative roles during the interim period.

Reasons for the Failure of the Cripps Mission:

• The proposals did not meet the expectations of Indian nationalists and seemed more like propaganda for the United States and China.
• Cripps's proposals were too radical for Winston Churchill and the Viceroy, yet too conservative for Indian leaders.
• Various political parties and groups had differing objections to the proposals, leading to a lack of consensus.
• The Congress Party moved towards the Quit India Movement, rejecting cooperation in the war effort.

The Congress’s Objections:

• Preferred complete independence over dominion status.
• Objected to state representation by nominees instead of elected representatives.
• Disagreed with the right of provinces to secede, emphasizing national unity.
• Criticized the lack of an immediate power transfer plan and real defense share, along with the retention of the Governor-General's supremacy.
• Nehru and Maulana Azad were the official negotiators for the Congress.

The Muslim League’s Objections:

• Opposed the concept of a single Indian Union.
• Disapproved of the machinery for creating a constituent assembly and the procedure for provincial accession to the Union.
• Believed the proposals denied Muslims the right to self-determination and the creation of Pakistan.

 Other groups' objections:

• The Liberals viewed the secession proposals as detrimental to India's unity and security.
• The Hindu Mahasabha questioned the foundation of the right to secede.
• The depressed classes feared that partition would leave them vulnerable to caste Hindus.
• The Sikhs protested that partition would strip them of Punjab.
• The explanation that the proposals aimed to refine general provisions rather than override the August Offer cast doubt on British intentions.
• Confusion surrounded Cripps' mandate from Churchill and Leo Amery, compounded by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow's hostility. Cripps' inability to extend beyond the Draft Declaration and his rigid “take it or leave it” stance contributed to the impasse. Initially discussing "cabinet" and "national government," Cripps later clarified he meant merely an expansion of the executive council.
• Publicly, Cripps failed to offer concrete short-term proposals for increased self-government, aside from a vague promise to raise the number of Indian members in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. He primarily focused on urging Congress leaders and Jinnah to reach a public consensus supporting the war and government.
• The process of accession lacked clarity. A 60% majority in the legislature was required for secession, and if this threshold was not met, a plebiscite among adult males in the province would decide by simple majority. This arrangement disadvantaged Hindus in Punjab and Bengal seeking accession to the Indian Union.
• It was unclear who would enforce and interpret the treaty governing the transfer of power.
• Churchill, Amery, Linlithgow, and Ward consistently undermined Cripps' efforts.
• Discussions collapsed over the issue of the viceroy’s veto.
• Gandhi criticized the scheme as "a post-dated cheque drawn on a crashing bank," while Nehru argued that the "existing structure and autocratic powers would remain, and a few of us will become the viceroy’s liveried camp followers, managing canteens and similar tasks."
• Stafford Cripps returned to Britain, leaving behind a disillusioned and resentful Indian populace. Despite their sympathy for the victims of Fascist aggression, the people felt the current situation in the country had become unbearable, prompting a desire for a decisive challenge against imperialism.