QUES . Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s. UPSC 2019 GS MAINS PAPER 1. 250 words. 15 Marks

HINTS:

The British even after demand from Indians for Poorna Swaraj and Constitution, remained reluctant to transfer power to Indians, until a series of events making them not to take up responsibility led to ultimate transfer of power to Indians.

The British further vitiated the already strained relations between INC and Muslim league, the main political parties to ensure their well-being. The second world-war’s expenses, reducing clout of the British and rising nationalism in India led to many offers made by British to the Indians which complicated the process of transfer of power.

August Offer (1940)

• The goodwill of Indian leaders made them not to take advantage of Britain’s position during Second World War, rather they wanted to compromise with British government to form an Interim government.

• But the stated offer of ‘Dominion status’ , widened the gulf between nationalists and British rulers, making things more complex.

Must read: August Offer – Proposals, Responses and Evaluation

Cripps Mission (1942)

• Indian support seemed crucial now as Britain suffered reverses in South East Asia and the threat of Japanese to invade India, and also pressure from Allied powers to seek Indian cooperation.

• The Cripps Mission provision giving right to provinces to secede went against national unity & security, it gave rise to regional aspirations of power.

• The adoption of a rigid ”Take it or leave it” attitude of British added to the deadlock.

• No clarity as to who would implement and interpret the treaty effecting transfer of power was provided for.

• On top of this, British government headed by Churchill consistently torpedoed Cripps’ efforts.

Wavell Plan (1945)

• The Conservative government in Britain led by Churchill was keen to reach a solution on the constitutional question in India.

• This plan attempted at reducing Congress to the status of purely caste Hindu party.

• Wavell announcing to break talks, gave Muslim league virtual veto and strengthened their position.

• All these exposed real character of the British Government.

Change in Governmental attitude now onwards

• The more sympathetic Labour Party government in Britain, announced that a constituent assembly would be convened after elections.

• The British had to retreat now as there was shift in balance of power after World war 2, and because of the tumultuous Indian crowd impatient to do something.

The Cabinet Mission (1946)

• The British withdrawal seemed imminent now as they realized that a settlement was necessary for burying the ghost of mass movement and for good future Indo-British relations.

• The mission provided for grouping of assemblies into three sections, which led to different interpretation by the Congress and Muslim league , which again caused deadlock in assembly.

• As a result of all this, the Muslim League gave a call for ‘Direct Action’ to achieve Pakistan’ led to communal riots on an unprecedented scale.

• The Muslim league took up an obstructionist approach with Ulterior motives.

Attlee’s statement, February 1947

• The British seeing the trouble all around, declared their intention of leaving the Indian subcontinent.

• The British did not want to solve the crisis created by them, and shouldered no responsibility for the prevailing conditions; Instead the British fixed a deadline of June 30, 1948 for transfer of power.

• The statement also contained clear hints of partition along with balkanization of the country into numerous states.

Mountbatten Plan, June 3, 1947

• Freedom-with-partition formula was coming to be accepted.

• The plan allowed for referendum along the border provinces of India-Pakistan, and the immediate results announced by the British led to confusions and large scale migration of people along borders.

• The plan provided for power transfer through dominion status to two entities, to resolve constitutional deadlock.

• This way of power transfer would allow the British to escape the responsibility for the communal situation.

• The Boundary Commissions were set up to demarcate boundaries between two countries’ provinces.

Thus, a series of tortuous failed negotiations between the British and Indians, led to sudden fall of events with grave consequences for both nations (India and Pakistan), whose effects are seen to the present day.

External link: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/72841609.pdf