Cripps Mission (1942) is part of Modern History of India. Below are notes on 8 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers (coming soon).

Aims and Objectives of the Cripps Mission

  • Led by Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the Labour Party.
  • Primary Aim: Secure India's full cooperation and support in World War II.
  • Proposed Post-War Measures:
    • Grant India Dominion Status.
    • Form an elected Constituent Assembly to frame a new constitution.
    • Provinces and Princely States could choose to opt out of the Indian Union and form separate dominions or maintain direct relations with Britain.
    • A treaty would be negotiated between the British Government and the Constituent Assembly regarding minority rights.
  • Proposed Immediate Measure (during war):
    • Formation of an interim Indianized Executive Council, but the Defence portfolio would remain with the British Viceroy.

Background: World War II and Allied Pressure

  • Britain faced severe setbacks in World War II.

Cripps Mission as a precursor to the Quit India Movement

  • Cripps Mission (1942): Led by Sir Stafford Cripps, member of the War Cabinet.
  • Purpose: To secure Indian cooperation and support for Britain in World War II, especially against the backdrop of Japanese advances towards India.
  • Key Proposals:
    • Dominion status for India after the war.
    • A Constituent Assembly to be formed after the war, with members partly elected by provincial assemblies and partly nominated by princely states.
    • Provinces and princely states would have the option to opt out of the Indian Union and form separate unions.
    • Immediate establishment of an Indianised Viceroy's Executive Council, but defense portfolio would remain with the British.
  • Rejection by Congress:
    • Demanded immediate complete independence and full control over defense.
    • Objected to the 'opting-out' clause, fearing it would lead to India's partition.
    • Disliked the limited nature of the proposed reforms during the war.
  • Rejection by Muslim League: Disliked the single union proposal and felt the offer for Pakistan was not explicit enough.
  • Mahatma Gandhi's Comment: Described the Cripps Mission proposals as "a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank" due to the promise of post-war dominion status from a warweakened Britain.
  • Outcome: The mission failed, leading to growing discontent and becoming a significant precursor to the launch of the Quit India Movement in August 1942.

Indian National Congress's Response and Rejection

  • Cripps Mission (1942) proposed dominion status for India post-WWII, a constituent assembly, and a provision for provinces to opt out.
  • Indian National Congress (INC) Rejection:
    • Rejected dominion status as it demanded immediate and complete independence.
    • Unsatisfied with the lack of immediate transfer of real power and control over defence to Indians.
    • Demanded a truly national government with Cabinet responsibilities, which was not offered (Viceroy's veto power remained).
    • Distrusted post-war promises, viewing them as too vague and distant.
    • Mahatma Gandhi famously described the proposals as "a post-dated cheque on a failing bank."
    • Leaders like Nehru and Azad opposed the provision allowing provinces to opt out, fearing it would lead to India's partition.
  • Muslim League's Rejection:
    • Rejected the proposals as they did not explicitly concede the demand for Pakistan.
    • The 'right to opt out' for provinces was deemed insufficient to guarantee a separate Muslim state.
  • The Cripps Mission was led by Sir Stafford Cripps, who was white; however, this composition was not the primary reason for Congress's rejection.

Key Proposals: Offer of Dominion Status

  • Cripps Mission (March 1942): Led by Sir Stafford Cripps, member of the War Cabinet.
  • Key Proposal: Offer of Dominion Status for India after World War II.
  • Constitution Making: An elected Constituent Assembly would be formed after the war to frame a new constitution for India.
  • Commonwealth Membership: The Indian Union would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth, including the right to secede.
  • Provincial Autonomy/Secession: Any province unwilling to accept the new constitution could opt to retain its existing constitutional position or form a separate Union.
  • Princely States: Would be free to decide whether to join the new Indian Union or remain separate.
  • Interim Arrangements: Immediate and effective participation of Indian leaders in the Viceroy's Executive Council was proposed during the war (though not with guaranteed equal Hindu-Muslim representation).
  • Gandhiji's Remark: Described the offer as a "post-dated cheque on a crashing bank."

Provision for a Post-War Constituent Assembly

  • Post-War Constituent Assembly to frame India's Constitution.
  • Members of the Constituent Assembly to be elected by provincial assemblies via proportional representation.
  • Princely States would also be invited to appoint representatives to the Constituent Assembly.
  • Any province unwilling to accept the new Constitution would be free to opt out.
  • Such non-acceding provinces could retain their existing constitutional position or form a separate Union.
  • The British Government would then be prepared to negotiate separate constitutional arrangements with these non-acceding provinces/states.

Reasons for the Mission's Failure

  • Congress's Rejection:
    • Demanded immediate complete independence, not Dominion Status.
    • Opposed the provision allowing provinces to secede, fearing partition.
    • Disapproved of the non-election of Princely States' representatives to the Constituent Assembly.
    • Found the offer of no immediate transfer of real power, especially over defense (Viceroy's supremacy), unacceptable.
    • Jawaharlal Nehru was deeply disappointed, stating Cripps became the "devil's advocate."

45. Quit India Movement

Right of Provinces to Opt Out of the Union

  • Cripps Mission (1942) proposed post-WWII Dominion Status for India.
  • A Constituent Assembly would be formed after the war to frame the new Constitution.
  • Composition of Constituent Assembly:
    • British India: Members to be elected by provincial legislative assemblies (lower houses) by proportional representation.
    • Princely States: Members to be nominated by their respective rulers.
  • Right to Opt Out (Non-Accession Clause): Any province unwilling to accept the new Constitution would have the right to opt out of the proposed Indian Union.
  • Such non-acceding provinces could form their own separate Union or negotiate separate agreements regarding their future status directly with the British Government.
  • Slogan "Quit India": Coined by Yusuf Meher Ali.
  • AICC Bombay Session (August 1942):
    • Dates: August 7-8, 1942.
    • Location: Bombay (now Mumbai).
    • Venue: Gowalia Tank Maidan (now August Kranti Maidan).
    • Quit India Resolution Adopted: On August 8, 1942.
    • Resolution Mover: Mahatma Gandhi.
    • Resolution Drafting: Initial draft by Mahatma Gandhi, further refined by Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
    • Key Demands/Statements of Resolution:
      • Immediate end to British rule in India ("...the immediate ending of British rule in India is an urgent necessity...").
      • Formation of an Indian Provisional Government comprising representatives of all sections.
      • India's commitment to fighting fascism and alignment with Allied Powers (United Nations).
    • Gandhi's Call: "Do or Die" (Karo ya Maro) during his speech.
  • Movement Launch: Quit India Movement officially launched on August 9, 1942, immediately following the arrest of major leaders.
  • Year: 1942.