C. R. formula or Rajaji Formula (1944) | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction to C. Rajagopalachari's (Rajaji Formula)

• Amid the ongoing constitutional crisis, there were efforts to address the political deadlock between the All India Muslim League and the Indian National Congress regarding India's independence from British rule.
• C. Rajagopalachari, a senior leader in the Congress party, proposed a formula aimed at fostering cooperation between the Congress and the League. This proposal implicitly acknowledged the League's demand for the creation of Pakistan.
• Mahatma Gandhi expressed his support for Rajagopalachari's formula, indicating a willingness to bridge the gap between the two parties during this critical period.

Key points in CR Plan

• In the CR Plan, the main points included:
• The Muslim League supporting the Congress's demand for independence.
• The League agreeing to work with Congress to establish a provisional government at the central level.
• After the war, a commission would be set up to identify districts with a Muslim majority. In these areas, a plebiscite would be held to decide on the formation of a separate sovereign state, including all inhabitants regardless of their religion.
• All political parties would have the opportunity to express their views on partition before the plebiscite.
• If partition was approved, there would be joint agreements on defense, commerce, and communication.
• Border districts would have the option to join either of the two new sovereign states.
• These terms would only apply if England transferred full powers to India.

Gandhi-Jinnah talks of 1944:

• As the Allies began to achieve victories, the British administration's attitude towards the Congress softened.
• The United States, despite being an ally of Britain in the war, pressured for India's demand for self-governance.
• Gandhi was released from prison on May 5, 1944, while other Congress leaders remained incarcerated.
• Upon his release , Gandhi initiated discussions with Jinnah regarding the latter's two-nation theory and the issue of partition.
• The CR formula served as a basis for these negotiations.
• Gandhi and Jinnah met in September 1944 in an attempt to resolve the deadlock, with Gandhi presenting the CR formula as his proposal.
• However, the Gandhi-Jinnah talks ended in failure after two weeks of discussions.
• Gandhi believed that the talks failed due to fundamental differences: he viewed separation as a family matter, preferring to maintain some elements of partnership, while Jinnah sought complete dissolution and sovereignty.

Jinnah's Objections:

• Jinnah wanted the Congress to accept the two-nation theory.
• He preferred that only the Muslims of North-West and North-East vote in the plebiscite, not the entire population.
• Jinnah believed the League represented all Muslims, making the adult franchise in the formula unnecessary.
• He claimed British Indian Provinces considered Muslim-majority regions in the north-west (Sind, Baluchistan, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab) and north-east (Assam, Bengal).
• Jinnah was concerned that a plebiscite could lead to the partition of Punjab and Bengal.
• He also opposed the idea of a common centre.

Others' Objections:

• The CR formula, though a failure, was viewed by Akali Dal leaders like Master Tara Singh as Congress' betrayal of the Sikhs.
• The formula meant the vivisection of Punjab, risking a division of the Sikh community.
• Sikhs, not being a majority in any single district but significant in Punjab, would be scattered between Muslim and Hindu nations.
• The proposal was disliked by leaders such as V. D. Sarvarkar, Syama Prasad Mookerjee of the Hindu Mahasabha, and Srinivas Sastri of the National Liberal Federation.
• However, Wavell, the then Viceroy of India, noted that talks based on the CR formula failed because Gandhi did not genuinely believe in the proposal and Jinnah was unprepared to confront difficult questions about the implications of Pakistan.