Independence and Partition of India: Attlee’s Statement & Congress Acceptance

Introduction

After nearly two centuries of British colonial rule, India gained its freedom following a long struggle for independence led by prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others. However, the path to independence was accompanied by the partition of British India into two separate nations: India and Pakistan. The partition led to widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life, leaving a lasting impact on the social, political, and cultural landscape of the region.

Attlee’s Statement (February 20, 1947)

• Clement Attlee, the British Prime Minister, made an announcement on February 20, 1947, declaring the British intention to leave the Indian subcontinent.
• Set a deadline of June 30, 1948, for the transfer of power, irrespective of the Indian politicians’ agreement on the constitution.
• British Plans: British would relinquish power to either a central government or existing provincial governments if the Constituent Assembly lacked full representation, particularly if Muslim-majority provinces did not join.
• Lapse of Powers and Obligations: Powers and obligations concerning princely states would lapse with the transfer of power, without transferring to any successor government in British India.
• Lord Mountbatten would replace Lord Wavell as the viceroy.
• Reason for Announcing the Date of Withdrawal
• • Compelling Agreement: The government fixed a date for withdrawal with the hope that it would compel the parties to reach an agreement on the main question and prevent a constitutional crisis. 
  • Gesture of Sincerity: This measure aimed to demonstrate British sincerity and acknowledged the irreversible decline of the government’s authority, as assessed by Wavell.

Congress Acceptance

• Multiple Power Centres: Congress found the provision of transfer of power to multiple centres acceptable, seeing it as a way to move forward with constitution framing. 
• League’s Civil Disobedience Movement: However, the optimism for a settlement was short-lived, leading to a final showdown when the League initiated a civil disobedience movement in Punjab, feeling emboldened by the government’s decision.

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Independence and Partition

• Consideration of Partition: In early 1947, escalating communal riots and the dysfunction of the Congress-League coalition prompted consideration of the once-unthinkable idea of partition. 
• Communal Groups in Bengal and Punjab: Hindu and Sikh communal groups in Bengal and Punjab, concerned about compulsory grouping that could place them in Pakistan, became vocal advocates for partition. 
  • The Hindu Mahasabha in Bengal explored the possibility of a separate Hindu province in West Bengal. 
• Nehru’s Stance: On March 10, 1947, Nehru expressed that the Cabinet Mission’s implementation was the best solution, with the partition of Punjab and Bengal being the only viable alternative. 
• Kripalani’s Proposal: By April 1947, Congress President Kripalani conveyed a willingness to accept Pakistan, proposing fair partitioning of Bengal and Punjab to avoid conflict.

Mountbatten as Viceroy

• Mountbatten’s Authority and Mandate: Mountbatten, the new viceroy, had more decision-making powers and a clear mandate from the British government to expedite the process of leaving India by October 1947.
• Pre-Mountbatten Era: Before Mountbatten’s arrival in India, the concept of freedom with partition gained widespread acceptance. 
  • A significant innovation, proposed by V.P. Menon, was the immediate transfer of power based on the grant of dominion status, including the right of secession. 
  • This approach eliminated the necessity to wait for an agreement in the constituent assembly regarding a new political structure.
• Mountbatten Plan June 3, 1947
  • Legislative Assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would vote for partition into separate Hindu and Muslim groups. 
    • A simple majority in either group would lead to the partition of these provinces.
  • In the case of partition, two dominions (India and Pakistan) and two constituent assemblies would be created.
  • Sindh would make its own decision regarding partition.
  • Referendums in NWFP and Sylhet district of Bengal would determine the fate of these areas.
  • As Congress had conceded a unified India, all their other points would be met, which are: 
  • Princely states would not be independent but would join either India or Pakistan.
  • Independence for Bengal was ruled out.
  • Accession of Hyderabad to Pakistan was ruled out (Mountbatten supported Congress on this).
  • Freedom to come on August 15, 1947.
  • Boundary commission to be set up if partition was to be effected.
  • The League’s demand for Pakistan was conceded, and the Congress’s position on unity was considered to minimize the size of Pakistan. 
  • Mountbatten’s formula aimed to divide India while retaining maximum unity.

Acceptance of Dominion Status and Partition Plan

• The Congress, contrary to the Lahore Congress (1929) spirit, was willing to accept dominion status for several reasons: 
  • Firstly, it promised a peaceful and prompt transfer of power;
  • Secondly, it was crucial for Congress to assume authority and manage the volatile situation; and 
  • Thirdly, it allowed for essential continuity in the bureaucracy and the army. 
  • Additionally, for Britain, granting dominion status provided an opportunity to retain India in the Commonwealth, even if temporarily, given India’s economic strength, defence potential, and the significant value of trade and investment.

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Reason for Early Date and Boundary Commission

• Selection of August 15, 1947: The reasoning behind selecting an early date, August 15, 1947, was driven by Britain’s desire to secure Congress’ acceptance of dominion status while simultaneously avoiding responsibility for the communal situation. 
• Swift Implementation of Partition Plan: The plan was swiftly implemented, with the legislative assemblies of Bengal and Punjab opting for partition. 
  • Consequently, East Bengal and West Punjab became part of Pakistan, while West Bengal and East Punjab remained with the Indian Union. 
• The referendum in Sylhet led to its incorporation into East Bengal. 
• Two Boundary Commissions: These were constituted to demarcate the boundaries of the new provinces.
• The Radcliffe Line: It was published on 17 August 1947 as a boundary demarcation line between the dominions of India and Pakistan upon the partition of India. 
• It was named after its architect, Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who was the chairman of the Border Commissions. [UPSC 2014]

Indian Independence Act, 1947

•  Royal Assent and Implementation: The British Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act on July 5, 1947 and received royal assent on July 18, 1947. 
  • It was implemented on August 15, 1947. 
  • It was based on the Mountbatten Plan.
• Features:
  • Two Nations: It provided for the creation of two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, effective from August 15, 1947.
  • Governor-general: Each dominion had a Governor-general responsible for implementing the Act.
  • Constituent Assemblies: The act provided constituent Assemblies of the new dominions exercised legislative powers, leading to the dissolution of the existing Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of States.
  • Interim Governance: Till the adoption of a new constitution by each dominion, the governments operated under the Government of India Act, 1935.
  • Pakistan became independent on August 14, 1947. India gained freedom on August 15, 1947.
  • M.A. Jinnah became the first Governor General of Pakistan.
  • Lord Mountbatten continued as the Governor General of India, upon India’s request.

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Conclusion

• The independence and partition of India ushered in a new era of freedom and self-governance for millions, it also left behind a legacy of communal violence, displacement, and unresolved tensions. 
• The process of partition presented immense challenges, yet India emerged as the world’s largest democracy, striving towards unity in diversity amidst the complexities of its diverse cultural, linguistic, and religious landscape.