Cabinet Mission 1946 | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

After World War II

• The culmination of World War II transpired in 1945.
• The political landscape in England altered with the accession of the Labour Party to power.
• Clement Atlee's appointment as Prime Minister heralded a shift in governance.
• The removal of all constraints imposed on the Congress by the British regime transpired under Atlee's tenure.
• The initiation of the Cabinet Mission by Atlee was geared towards resolving India's intricate issues.
• The pivotal outcome of the mission was the recommendation for India to attain independence.

The Cabinet Mission, 1946

Background of the Cabinet Mission 

• In March 1946, a significant Commission comprising Pethick Lawrence, A.V. Alexander, and Sir Straford Cripps journeyed to India as part of a crucial visit.
• This delegation, known as the Cabinet Mission, was a pivotal representation of the British Cabinet at the time.

Recommendations for Provincial Formation 

• The Commission advocated for the division of provinces based on the demographics of Hindus and Muslims, emphasizing majority representation in each.
• This move was aimed at addressing the communal tensions and ensuring fair political representation for both major religious groups.

Proposal for a Federal Government 

• In addition to the provincial restructuring, the Committee proposed the establishment of a Federal Government structure.
• This Federal Government model was envisioned to oversee overarching national issues and maintain unity among the provinces.

Formation of Interim Government and Constituent Assembly 

• As a resolution to the mounting challenges in India, the British administration resolved to institute an Interim Government.
• Simultaneously, plans for a Constituent Assembly were set in motion, signifying a significant step towards India's self-governance.

Interim Government, 1946

• Elections took place in July 1946 to establish a Constituent Assembly.
• The Congress party secured 205 out of 214 General seats.
• The Muslim League won 73 out of 78 Muslim-designated seats.
• An Interim Government was established under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru on September 2, 1946.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, as the leader, reached out to Muhammad Ali Jinnah for cooperation, which was declined by Jinnah.
• Jinnah's unwavering stance on the demand for Pakistan made the partition of India inevitable.