In March 1942, a mission headed by Stafford Cripps was sent to India with constitutional proposals.
The mission was headed by Sir Stafford Cripps, a senior left-wing Labourite and government minister in the War Cabinet, who had actively supported the Indian national movement.
The Cripps mission was an attempt by the British government to secure full Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II.
Must read: August Offer – Proposals, Responses and Evaluation
What were the reasons behind sending the Cripps Mission?
The reasons behind sending the Cripps Mission were as follows:
● Because of the reverses suffered by Britain in South East Asia, the Japanese threat to invade India seemed real now and Indian support became crucial.
● There was pressure on Britain from the Allies (USA, USSR, China) to seek Indian cooperation.
● Indian nationalists had agreed to support the Allied cause if substantial power was transferred immediately and complete independence given after the war.
Must read: How British imperial power complicated the process of transfer of power during the 1940s?
What were the main proposals of the Cripps mission?
The main proposals of the Cripps mission were as follows:
● An Indian Union with a dominion status would be set up; it would be free to decide its relations with the
● Commonwealth and free to participate in the United Nations and other international bodies.
● After the end of the war, a constituent assembly would be convened to frame a new constitution. Members of this assembly would be partly elected by the provincial assemblies through proportional representation and partly nominated by the princes.
● The British government would accept the new constitution subject to two conditions: (i) any province not willing to join the Union could have a separate constitution and form a separate Union, and (ii) the new constitution making body and the British government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of power and to safeguard racial and religious minorities.
● In the meantime, defence of India would remain in British hands and the governor general’s powers would remain intact.
What was new in the Cripps mission?
The proposals differed from those offered in the past in many respects:
● The making of the constitution was to be solely in Indian hands now (and not ‘mainly’ in Indian hands—as contained in the August Offer).
● A concrete plan was provided for the constituent assembly.
● Option was available to any province to have a separate constitution—a blueprint for India’s partition.
● Free India could withdraw from the Commonwealth.
● Indians were allowed a large share in the administration in the interim period.
External link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cripps_Mission
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: UPSC 2022
1 . The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
2 . Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans (b) Explanation: According to the proposals of Cripps Mission: After the end of the war, a Constituent Assembly would be convened to frame a new constitution. Members of this assembly would be partly elected by the provincial assemblies through proportional representation and partly nominated by the princes. Hence statement 1 is not correct. The British government would accept the new constitution subject to two conditions: any province not willing to join the Union could have a separate constitution and form a separate Union, and the new constitution making body and the British government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of power and to safeguard racial and religious minorities. Hence statement 2 is correct.
QUES . Which one of the following statements about the Cripps Mission is not correct? CDS 2021
(a) It was sent to India by the British Government in March 1942
(b) It proposed ‘that the Constitution of India was to be framed by an elected Constituent Assembly of the Indian people.
(c) Any province which was not prepared to accept the Constitution would be free to retain its constitutional provisions existing at that time.
(d) The British Government could enter into a separate constitutional arrangement with any of the acceding provinces.
Ans (b)
QUES . Consider the following statements about Cripps Proposals of 1942 : NDA 2012
1 . Provision was to be made for participation of Indian States in the Constitution-making body.
2 . British Government undertook to accept and implement the Constitution.
3 . All provinces of British India were to give an undertaking about the acceptance of the Constitution.
4 . In the ongoing World War, no resources of British India would be used.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1,2 and 4 only
(d) 1,3 and 4 only
Ans (a)
