Cripps Mission (March 1942)

• In March 1942, the Cripps Mission, led by Stafford Cripps, was sent to India with the aim of presenting constitutional proposals in an effort to gain Indian support for the British war effort during World War II. Stafford Cripps, a prominent figure as the leader of the House of Commons and a member of the British War Cabinet, was known for his left-wing and progressive views. He actively supported the Indian national movement and was sympathetic to India's aspirations for self-rule and independence. The mission's objective was to find common ground with Indian political leaders and establish a framework for post-war India, hoping to secure Indian cooperation in the war against Axis powers. However, the mission's proposals, known as the Cripps Offer, failed to gain acceptance from both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, leading to further complexities in the struggle for India's freedom.

The background of the Cripps Mission was shaped by several significant events and geopolitical factors:

• Japanese Threat: During World War II, Japan made significant advances and posed a real threat to the eastern borders of India. The fall of Burma was particularly concerning for the British, as it highlighted the vulnerability of their colonial territories in the region.
• Importance of Indian Support: Given the imminent Japanese invasion of India, the British recognized the vital importance of gaining Indian support for their war effort. India's manpower, resources, and cooperation were seen as crucial to the defence of British interests in the region.
• Declaration of War Party: When the Second World War broke out in 1939, the Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, declared India a war party in the British Empire without consulting Indian leaders. This unilateral decision caused discontent and led to major protests and demonstrations by the Indian National Congress.
• Resignation of Provincial Governments: In response to the declaration of war without consultation, party leaders from seven provincial governments resigned. The Muslim League celebrated this day of resignations as "Deliverance Day."
• Pressure from Allies: The British government faced pressure from the United States and other allied leaders to implement more liberal colonial policies in India and to involve Indians in the Allied war effort.
• Sending of Cripps to India: To address these complex issues and secure Indian cooperation, the British Government dispatched Stafford Cripps, a left-wing Labourite with sympathetic views towards the Indian national movement, to India. The mission aimed to propose constitutional reforms and seek common ground with Indian political leaders for post-war India.

The Cripps Mission came to India due to the following reasons:

• Japanese Threat and British Setbacks: The British Empire suffered significant setbacks in South-East Asia during World War II. The fall of Burma and the advancement of Japanese forces towards India posed a serious threat to British territories in the region, including India.
• Pressure from Allied Powers: The United States, the Soviet Union, and China, who were Britain's allies in the war, exerted pressure on Britain to secure Indian cooperation for the war effort. India's support was seen as crucial in countering the Japanese invasion and bolstering the Allied war strategy in the region.
• Seeking Indian Cooperation: The British Government recognized the necessity of obtaining the support of Indian political leaders and the Indian population, in general, to effectively combat the Japanese threat and contribute to the overall war effort.
• Promise of Independence: As part of the negotiation to secure India's support for the war, the Cripps Mission proposed the idea of offering India complete independence once the war was over. The mission aimed to find a middle ground and present a path towards self-rule for India, which could incentivize Indian cooperation during the war. However, the specifics of the proposed offer and the timing of the transfer of power were points of contention and ultimately led to the mission's failure to gain acceptance from Indian leaders.

The main proposal of the Cripps Mission included the following points:

• Formation of Indian Union with Dominion Status: The mission proposed the creation of an Indian union that would have Dominion status within the British Commonwealth. This status would grant a significant degree of self-governance to India while still being part of the Commonwealth.
• Choice of Relations with Commonwealth and International Organizations: The Indian Union would have the freedom to choose its own relationships with the British Commonwealth and other international organizations like the United Nations.
• Defense Sector under British Control: The defence sector of the Indian Union would remain under British control, ensuring that Britain retained authority over matters of national security.
• Preservation of Governor General's Powers: The position of the Governor-General, representing the British Crown, would be retained, ensuring the continuation of the British monarchy's symbolic authority in India.
• Constituent Assembly for Drafting a New Constitution: A constituent assembly would be formed to draft a new constitution for India. This assembly would be partly elected by provincial assemblies and partly nominated by the Princes.
• Acceptance of New Constitution with Conditions: The British government agreed to accept the new constitution, but two conditions were attached:
• a. Any province unwilling to join the Indian Union could have its own constitution and form its own union.
• b. The new constitution-making body and the British government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of power and to protect the rights of racial and religious minorities in India.

However, the proposal faced opposition from both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League due to concerns regarding the defence provision and the limited scope for complete independence. Consequently, the Cripps Mission did not achieve its intended goal of securing Indian support for the war effort through this proposal.

The Cripps Mission holds significant historical importance due to the following reasons:

• Advancement in Constitutional Proposals: The mission represented a notable advancement from the previous August Offer, as it explicitly stated that the creation of the constitution would be solely in Indian hands. This acknowledgement addressed the Indian demand for more control over the constitutional process.
• Concrete Plan for Constituent Assembly: The mission provided a concrete plan for the formation of a constituent assembly responsible for drafting India's new constitution. This step was a major development toward India's self-governance and played a crucial role in shaping the future of the country.
• Blueprint for India's Partition: The Cripps Mission's provision allowing any province to have a separate constitution laid the groundwork for the possibility of India's partition. This aspect eventually became a crucial factor in the partition of India into India and Pakistan in 1947.
• Freedom to Withdraw from the Commonwealth: The mission acknowledged that a free India could choose to withdraw from the British Commonwealth. This recognition granted India the freedom to decide its future international relationships independently.
• Greater Indian Involvement in Administration: During the interim period, the Cripps Mission allowed Indians to have a significant share of administration, moving toward a more inclusive governance structure.
• Despite these significant aspects, the Cripps Mission ultimately faced resistance and rejection from major Indian political parties, such as the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, due to concerns over certain provisions, particularly in the defence sector and the limited scope for complete independence. The mission's inability to gain Indian consensus hindered its implementation and left the larger issue of India's political future unresolved during the critical period of World War II. Nevertheless, the Cripps Mission remains a crucial chapter in India's struggle for independence and its path toward self-rule.

The Cripps Mission ultimately failed to achieve its intended goals due to various factors and opposition from multiple parties:

• Dissatisfaction Among Indian Nationalists: The proposals put forth by the Cripps Mission did not satisfy the aspirations of Indian nationalists, who sought complete independence from British rule. Many Indian leaders perceived the proposals as insufficient and compromising.
• Opposition from Indian Political Parties: The Indian National Congress, the Muslim League, and other Indian organizations all opposed the Cripps Mission's proposals, leading to a lack of consensus among Indian political parties.
• Dissent from Different Groups: Various groups within India expressed their objections to specific aspects of the proposals. The Hindu Mahasabha and Liberals were against the provision for states' right to secede, and the Depressed Classes were concerned about their status as a minority in the country.
• Lack of Support from British Officials: The Cripps Mission faced a lack of support from key British figures, including Viceroy Linlithgow, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Secretary of State for India, Leo Amery.
• Unclear Intentions and Procedure: Ambiguity in the intentions of the proposals and the undefined procedure for joining the Indian Union created confusion and distrust among the parties involved.
• Viceroy's Veto and Interpretation of Treaty: The issue of the viceroy's veto power and uncertainty about who would implement and interpret the treaty leading to the transfer of power further complicated negotiations.
• Rigid Attitude and Inability to Compromise: Cripps' inflexible "take it or leave it" attitude and inability to move beyond the Draft Declaration added to the impasse.
• Gandhi's Criticism: Mahatma Gandhi referred to the proposals as a "post-dated cheque," implying that they offered promises for the future but failed to address the immediate concerns of the Indian people.
• In light of these challenges and complexities, the Cripps Mission could not achieve its desired outcome of securing Indian cooperation for the war effort and resolving the issue of India's political future. The mission's failure led to further uncertainties and delays in India's struggle for independence.

The Indian National Congress (INC) rejected the Cripps Mission's proposals for various reasons, which contributed to their refusal to accept the offer. The main causes of INC's rejection were as follows:

• Dominion Status Instead of Complete Independence: The INC, representing the aspirations of many Indian nationalists, sought complete independence from British rule. However, the Cripps Mission offered dominion status, which fell short of their demand for full self-governance and sovereignty.
• Representation of Princely States by Nominees: The proposal to include representatives of princely states through nomination rather than through elected representatives was seen as undemocratic and against the principles of representative governance.
• Right of Provinces to Secede: The provision allowing provinces to secede from the Indian Union was viewed as a threat to national unity. The INC believed in the concept of a unified India and was opposed to any measures that could lead to the partition of the country.
• Absence of Immediate Transfer of Power: The Cripps Mission's proposals did not offer a concrete plan for the immediate transfer of power to Indian hands. The lack of a clear timeline for independence and the continued authority of the British Governor-General were significant concerns for the INC.
• Limited Role in Defense Matters: The proposals retained British control over the defence sector, which was deemed inadequate by the INC. They wanted a more substantial share in defence decision-making, which was crucial for the security and sovereignty of an independent India.
• Governor General's Supremacy: The retention of the Governor-General's supremacy in the proposals was seen as an obstacle to full self-governance. The INC advocated for the Governor-General to function solely as a constituency governor, subject to the authority of the Indian government.

In summary, the INC's rejection of the Cripps Mission's proposals was driven by its pursuit of complete independence, concerns about the unity of India, and the desire for a more immediate and substantial role in governance and defence matters. The mission's failure to address these critical issues led to its rejection by the Indian National Congress and other Indian political parties.

The Muslim League rejected the Cripps Mission's proposals for the following reasons:

• Opposition to Single Indian Union: The Muslim League criticized the idea of a single Indian Union as proposed by the Cripps Mission. They believed that a unified India would not adequately address the concerns and interests of Muslims and other minority communities.
• Concerns with Constituent Assembly and Procedural Mechanisms: The Muslim League objected to the proposed machinery for forming a constituent assembly, which would be responsible for drafting India's new constitution. They were apprehensive that the assembly's composition might not adequately represent the Muslim population and their specific needs.
• Issues with Provinces' Accession: The procedural aspects of how provinces would accede to the Indian Union raised concerns for the Muslim League. They were apprehensive that the procedure might not be fair or might not fully respect the right to self-determination of Muslim-majority provinces.
• Denial of Right to Self-Determination and Pakistan: One of the core principles of the Muslim League was the right to self-determination and the establishment of a separate Muslim state, which later became Pakistan. The Cripps Mission's proposals did not address the Muslim League's demand for the creation of Pakistan, leading to its rejection by the party.

In summary, the Muslim League's rejection of the Cripps Mission's proposals stemmed from their disagreement with the idea of a unified India, concerns about representation and self-determination, and the lack of acknowledgement for the establishment of a separate Muslim state. These factors contributed to the failure of the Cripps Mission to gain acceptance and support from the Muslim League, ultimately hindering efforts to secure Indian cooperation during the war and resolve the issue of India's political future.

Conclusion

• The failure of the Cripps Mission left the Indian people feeling frustrated and enraged. While sympathizing with the victims of Fascist aggression and the global war effort, they believed that the prevailing situation in India was intolerable under British rule. The inability of the Cripps Mission to address the core demands of Indian nationalists and the rejection by both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League further deepened the sense of discontent and urgency for freedom.
• In the aftermath of the mission's failure, the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, decided to launch a new and decisive campaign known as the Quit India Movement in August 1942. This movement marked a significant phase in India's struggle for independence. The Quit India Movement aimed to demand an end to British rule and called for the British to "Quit India" and transfer power to the Indian people. It was a strong assertion of Indian nationalism and a final assault on imperialism.
• The Quit India Movement faced strong repression and crackdown by the British authorities, leading to mass arrests and severe suppression. However, it also showcased the unity and determination of the Indian people in their pursuit of independence. The movement played a critical role in shaping the course of India's fight for freedom and significantly influenced the eventual transfer of power to India in 1947.

Overall, the failure of the Cripps Mission served as a catalyst, intensifying the Indian people's resolve to break free from colonial rule. The subsequent Quit India Movement stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Indian people and their commitment to achieving self-rule and independence. It remains an essential chapter in India's history, commemorating the struggles and sacrifices made on the path to becoming a free and sovereign nation.