CRIPPS MISSION
Modern History
INTRODUCTION
• In March 1942, the British government sent a special delegation to India known as the Cripps Mission.
• It was headed by Sir Stafford Cripps, a prominent left-wing Labour leader and a member of the British War Cabinet.
• The mission aimed to secure Indian cooperation in the Second World War by offering constitutional concessions.
BACKGROUND
• The global situation had changed rapidly due to Japanese expansion in Asia.
• Japanese forces had captured Rangoon (Burma) in 1942, bringing the war right to India's eastern frontier.
• With the possibility of a Japanese invasion of India, British war efforts required full Indian support.
• In 1939, when WWII started, Viceroy Linlithgow had declared India at war without consulting Indian leaders.
• This angered the Indian National Congress, and its 7 provincial ministries resigned.
• Britain faced American and Chinese pressure to solve the Indian constitutional question.
• Due to global democratic rhetoric, it became difficult for Britain to deny Indians the same rights.
MEMBERS OF THE MISSION
• Stafford Cripps (Head), Lord Privy Seal.
• Senior British officials and advisers from the War Cabinet.
• Their task: negotiate with Indian leaders and persuade them to join the Allied war effort.
WHY THE CRIPPS MISSION CAME
• The fall of Singapore, Malaya, and Burma weakened British morale.
• Japan stood at India's doorstep; India was strategically crucial for Allied defense.
• The USA urged Britain to settle the Indian issue to gain full Indian cooperation.
• The Congress demanded immediate transfer of substantial power.
• The British government hoped Cripps could win Indian goodwill and avoid a large-scale revolt.
MAIN PROPOSALS OF CRIPPS MISSION
1. DOMINION STATUS AFTER THE WAR
• India would become a Dominion after WWII, equal in status to Britain.
• India would be free to leave the British Commonwealth.
2. CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY
• A Constituent Assembly would be formed to draft a new constitution.
• Members would be:
– Elected by provincial assemblies (using proportional representation).
– Nominated by princely states.
3. RIGHT OF PROVINCES TO SECEDE
• Any province could choose NOT to join the future Indian Union.
• It could have its own separate constitution and form an independent Union.
• This was the first clear acceptance of the possible partition of India.
4. DEFENCE REMAINS WITH BRITISH
• Even during the interim period, defence would remain fully under British control.
• The Governor-General would use special powers.
5. MINORITY SAFEGUARDS
• British insisted that minorities (especially Muslims, Sikhs, Depressed Classes) must consent to any constitution.
6. TREATY BETWEEN INDIA AND BRITAIN
• After framing the constitution, a treaty would define future relations.
• It would include safeguards for minorities and British interests.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROPOSALS
• First time, Britain officially accepted:
– Indians will frame India’s constitution.
– Right of provinces to opt out (laid basis for Pakistan).
– Possibility of India’s complete withdrawal from the Commonwealth.
• But many clauses were unclear or unacceptable to Indian leaders.
CONGRESS REACTION
• Congress rejected the proposals.
• Main objections:
– Dominion status, not complete independence.
– No immediate transfer of real power.
– Defence retained by British.
– Provision for partition through provincial secession.
• Gandhi called it a “Post-dated cheque on a failing bank.”
• Nehru was disappointed because the CA structure was weak and the unity of India was threatened.
MUSLIM LEAGUE REACTION
• League rejected mission because:
– It did not allow a separate Pakistan immediately.
– Proposed a single Union first.
– CA formation formula didn’t guarantee Muslim veto.
• But League appreciated the right of provinces to secede – a step closer to Pakistan.
PRINCELY STATES’ REACTION
• Were uncomfortable because:
– They had to send nominated representatives.
– They feared losing autonomy.
• They did not fully support or oppose it.
DEPRESSED CLASSES (AMBEDKAR)
• Ambedkar opposed Cripps proposals because:
– They did not guarantee political safeguards for Depressed Classes.
– He feared that under a Congress-dominated CA, Dalit interests would be ignored.
HINDU MAHASABHA
• Rejected it because:
– The right of provinces to secede threatened national unity.
– It legitimised the idea of Pakistan.
WHY THE CRIPPS MISSION FAILED – KEY REASONS
1. Britain unwilling to give real power
• Defence stayed with British.
• Governor-General retained ultimate authority.
• Transfer of power was postponed till after the war.
2. Congress–League deadlock
• Congress wanted a strong central government.
• Muslim League wanted Pakistan and rejected any united India proposal.
3. No immediate solution
• Congress wanted immediate Indian control.
• Cripps offered constitutional changes only after WWII.
4. Provincial secession clause
• Threatened India’s unity.
• Congress strongly opposed.
5. British Cabinet’s rigidity
• Cripps wanted to make more concessions.
• But Churchill and the Cabinet forced a strict “take-it-or-leave-it” policy.
6. Strategic propaganda
• Mission was seen as British attempt to win time and create a favourable impression abroad rather than genuinely transfer power.
FINAL OUTCOME
• Negotiations failed.
• Cripps returned to Britain empty-handed.
• The rejection deepened distrust between British and Indians.
• It directly paved the way for the Quit India Movement (August 1942).
GANDHI’S FAMOUS REMARK
• Gandhi called the Cripps offer:
“A post-dated cheque on a failing bank.”
CONCLUSION
• The Cripps Mission was an important turning point.
• It exposed the British reluctance to give real freedom.
• It united Indian nationalists against British hypocrisy.
• It strengthened Congress resolve for complete independence.
• Its failure contributed to the launch of the historic Quit India Movement.
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Subject: Modern History
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