Cripps Mission: A Missed Opportunity in India’s Path to Independence

Cripps Mission was sent to India in March 1942, headed by Stafford Cripps, a prominent member of the British War Cabinet and a supporter of the Indian cause, aimed to secure Indian cooperation for the British war effort against the Axis powers. This initiative was driven by the critical war situation, particularly the Japanese threat to India, and by pressure from Allied nations to resolve the political deadlock in India. The Cripps proposals departed from past offers by placing the constitution-making process entirely in Indian hands and providing a concrete plan for the constituent assembly. It acknowledged the possibility of provinces forming separate unions and allowed India the option to exit the Commonwealth.

Main Proposals of the Cripps Mission

Dominion Status: The mission proposed an Indian Union with dominion status, free to decide its relationships within the Commonwealth and international bodies.

• Constituent Assembly: A post-war constituent assembly would be formed, comprising both elected members from provincial legislatures and nominees from princely states.
• British Government Conditions: 

1. Any Province not willing to join the Union can have a separate Constitution and form a separate union.  
2. New Constitution-making Body and the Government would negotiate a treaty for the Transfer of Power.

• Interim Period: British control over defence and retention of the Governor-General’s powers during the interim period.

Reactions to the Cripps Mission

Congress’s Rejection: The Congress, represented by Nehru and Azad in negotiations, rejected the mission’s proposals for not offering complete independence, the means of representing princely states, the right to secession which threatened national unity, and the lack of immediate power transfer.

• Muslim League’s Critique: The Muslim League, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, opposed a single Indian Union and was dissatisfied with the constituent assembly’s proposed mechanisms and the denial of Pakistan as a separate nation.
• Other Groups: The right to secession was a sticking point for many, with groups like the Liberals, Hindu Mahasabha, Sikhs, and depressed classes expressing concerns over the potential impact on India’s unity and their communities.

Failure of the Cripps Mission

The mission failed for several reasons:

• Inflexibility: Cripps’s inability to modify the Draft Declaration and the British “take it or leave it” stance hindered progress.
• Veto Powers: The deadlock was exacerbated by the question of the Viceroy’s veto powers.
• Churchill’s Opposition: The British Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials undermined the mission’s efforts.
• Implementation Uncertainties: There were unanswered questions about who would implement and interpret the treaty transferring power.

Aftermath

Critique of the Cripps Proposal: Gandhi famously described the Cripps proposal as a “post-dated cheque on a crashing bank,” and Nehru criticised the offer as a continuation of autocratic rule under a façade of political progress. 

• The mission’s failure intensified Indian frustrations, leading many to feel that the situation was intolerable and precipitating the demand for immediate and decisive action against British imperialism.
• Surge Towards the Quit India Movement: The breakdown of the Cripps Mission was a significant factor leading up to the historic Quit India Movement, as Indian leaders and the public alike felt an urgent need to resolve the impasse and achieve independence.

Conclusion

The Cripps Mission, despite its intent to address India’s political deadlock during WWII, failed to secure meaningful cooperation. Its inability to offer full independence, coupled with opposition from major political groups and British inflexibility, led to its rejection. This failure not only highlighted the deep-seated frustrations of Indian leaders but also accelerated the demand for decisive action, culminating in the Quit India Movement and a renewed push for independence.

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