Cripps mission
In March 1942 , a mission headed by Sir Stanford Cripps was sent to India to seek further Indian Cooperation in World War II. Stanford Cripps was a left wing Labourite and a member of British War Cabinet who had actively supported the Indian National Movement.
Reasons why Cripps Mission was sent
- Reverses suffered by the British in South East Asia and Japanese threat to invade India.
- Pressure on Britain from the Allies to seek Indian support.
Main provisions of the Cripps Mission was
- An Indian Union would be setup to decide its relation with the Commonwealth and other International bodies.
- A constituent assembly would be set up to frame a new constitution for India whose members will be partly elected and partly nominated.
- Any province not willing to join the Indian Union could have a separate constitution of its own.
- Negotiation with the British Government is a must on matters related to safeguard of racial and religious minorities.
- Powers of Governor General would remain intact and Defence of India would remain in British hands only.
Indian reaction
- Congress demanded that the Constituent Assembly should be immediately set up whereas every provision of the Cripps Mission was to be applicable only after the end of World War Second.
- Provision that the provinces had the power to accept or reject the Indian union didn’t go well with the Congress. According to them it was a direct attack by British on Indian Unity.
- Muslim League rejected the Cripps Mission because their demand of Separate State was rejected.
- Depressed Class and Sikhs rejected Cripps Mission because no provision was made to safeguard their rights.
- Cripps Mission was termed as “Post Dated Cheque” by Gandhiji and “Failing Bank” by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
