The Cripps Mission ( Purpose, Needs, Proposals and Reasons for non-acceptance of suggestions)

The Cripps Mission
The British Prime Minister, Churchill having realized that it was difficult to remain indifferent towards the Indian problems any longer.
So he made an announcement on 11/03/1942 in the House of Commons, declaring that Sir Stafford Cripps, a socialist member of the British War Council, known for his genuine sympathy with the Indian aspirations, would be sent to India, for negotiating with the Indian leaders to secure their co-operation in the prosecution of War.
On March 22, 1942, Mr. Cripps arrived in India.
Why Cripps Mission was sent to India?
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, and China) to seek Indian cooperation for the World War against Germany.
Indian nationalists had agreed to support the Allied cause if the substantial power was transferred immediately and complete independence be given after the war.
Main Proposals:
Sir Stafford Cripps suggested the following proposals for the settlement of the Indian problems:
According to first proposal, an Indian Union with a dominion status would be set up; and this Indian Union would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth nations and also free to participate in the United Nations and other International bodies.
According to the second proposal, after the end of the war, a Constituent Assembly would be convened to frame a new Constitution for India. Members of this Constituent Assembly would be partly elected by the provincial assemblies through proportional representation and partly nominated by the parties.
But it is very important to note here that it had been provided under the Cripps Mission that the British Government would accept the new Constitution of India subject to the following two conditions:
1. According to the first condition it had been provided that any province who is not willing to join the Indian Union could have a separate constitution and they can form a separate Union, and
2. According to the second condition, the new constitution making body and the British Government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of power from the British Government to the Indian Union and also to safeguard racial and religious minorities in India.
In the meantime, unless and until the power will not be transferred from the British Government to the Indian Union the defence of India would remain in the British hands and the Viceroy’s powers would remain intact.
Departure from the Past and Implications:
The proposals which were contained in Cripps Mission differed from those offered in the past in many respects:
1. The making of the Indian Constitution was to be solely in the Indian hands now.
2. A clear plan was provided for the Constituent Assembly.
3. Option was available to any province to have a separate constitution- a blueprint for India’s partition.
4. The right was given to the Indian Union that Free India could withdraw from the Commonwealth Nations as well.
But the Indians were not satisfied with the above proposals and therefore, they rejected it.
The Indian Leaders found in it the seed of partition of the country.
Moreover there was absence of any plan for immediate transfer of power from the British Government to the Indian Union.
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