The Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference 1945 | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference

Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference were significant attempts to address the political deadlock in India during 1945.

• Wavell Plan, proposed by Lord Wavell, aimed at restructuring the Governor-General's Executive Council to include Indian leaders and ensure balanced representation of communities.
• Shimla Conference in June 1945 marked a shift in the Congress's stance, allowing its leaders to participate after being released from imprisonment, signaling a move towards negotiation and compromise.

• Background: Japan had not yet surrendered in World War II. The Indian National Army (INA) was nearing the end of its activities. There was a deadlock with the Indian National Congress since their resignations in 1939.

• Lord Wavell's Role: In October 1943, Lord Wavell became the new Governor-General of India, succeeding Lord Linlithgow. He aimed to break the deadlock in India.

• Consultations in England: Wavell went to England in March 1945 for discussions on resolving the Indian political situation.

• Wavell Plan Announcement: On June 14, 1945, Wavell broadcasted the British Government's proposals to the people of India to resolve the deadlock. This announcement is known as the Wavell Plan.

• Key Features of the Wavell Plan:Renovation of the Executive Council: The Governor-General’s Executive Council would be restructured with members nominated from Indian political leaders, except for the Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief.

• Representation: The new council would have balanced representation, including equal numbers of Muslims and caste Hindus, with separate representation for Scheduled Castes.
• Governor-General's Veto: While the Governor-General's veto would remain, it would not be used unnecessarily.
• Transfer of Portfolio: The portfolio of External Affairs would be transferred to an Indian member of the Council.
• Conference of Representatives: A conference would be convened to obtain a joint or separate list of candidates for the new Executive Council from various political parties.
• Provincial Ministers: It was expected that provincial ministers would resume office and there would be a coalition government.

Congress Participation: Congress leaders were released to participate in the Shimla Conference in June 1945, ending the phase of confrontation that had begun in August 1942.

• Breakdown Plan: Wavell Plan, also known as the Breakdown Plan, was not accepted by the British. They deemed leaving without a universally agreed agreement as dishonorable.
• Disagreement Clause: The plan suggested that in case of disagreement, the British should withdraw to the six Pakistan provinces, leaving the Congress to manage the rest of India.

Shimla Conference

• Conference in Shimla: A conference was held in Shimla, the summer capital of the British government in India, to discuss the Wavell Plan for Indian self-government.

• Participants: The conference included 21 Indian political leaders, such as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the President of the Congress, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah of the Muslim League.

• Wavell Plan Agreement: The conference aimed to agree on the Wavell Plan, which proposed self-rule for India with separate representation for Muslims and reduced majority powers for both communities.

• Stalled Talks: Discussions stalled over the selection of Muslim representatives. Jinnah insisted that only the Muslim League could represent Muslims in the Executive Council, rejecting any Congress-nominated Muslims.

• Jinnah's Demands: Jinnah demanded that decisions involving Muslim members require a two-thirds majority to pass, which was a contentious point.

• Wavell's Proposal: Wavell proposed six Muslim representatives in a 14-member Executive Council, but Muslims only made up 25% of the population. This proposal was seen as unreasonable by Congress.

• Conference Failure: The conference ended in failure when Congress rejected Jinnah's demands, and Wavell abandoned the plan. This marked the end of a significant opportunity for a united, independent India.

• Conclusion: Lord Wavell declared the talks a failure, signaling the collapse of the conference and the potential for a united India.

Responsibility of Failure

• The Wavell Plan aimed for complete Indianisation of the Executive Council, proposing parity in representation for caste Hindus and Muslims.
• Mahatma Gandhi objected to the term "caste Hindus", while the Muslim League wanted increased representation for Muslims.
• The Congress, as a national body, sought to nominate representatives from all communities.
• The conference failed because neither the Congress nor the League was willing to compromise on their positions.
• Responsibility for the failure was shared between Lord Wavell and Mr. Jinnah.
• The Congress viewed India as a single nation, while the Muslim League regarded Muslims as a separate nation.
• The Viceroy's decisions would hinge on this disagreement, with greater disagreement potentially extending British rule.
• Wavell granted Jinnah the power to veto any constitutional progress in India, elevating him as the sole representative of Muslims.
• Wavell also overturned the Cripps Mission proposals, which had acknowledged the Indian National Congress as the sole negotiating body with the government.
• Wavell's actions effectively placed Jinnah on par with Gandhi and established the Muslim League as the primary advocate for Muslim interests in India, strengthening its position.
• Wavell should have consulted with leaders regarding the composition of the Executive Council to gain their support.
• The failure of the Shimla Conference ultimately bolstered Mr. Jinnah and the Muslim League, as seen in the elections of 1945-46.
• Maulana Azad, the Congress President, blamed Mr. Jinnah for the breakdown of discussions.
• When the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League reconvened under the Cabinet Mission the following year, the Congress was less accommodating of the League’s requests, despite Jinnah’s endorsement of the British plan.