Cripps Mission (1942) | Background, Purpose, Proposal, Failure, and Impact

What is Cripps Mission?

The Cripps Mission in 1942, led by British minister Stafford Cripps, aimed to secure Indian support for Britain in World War II. Cripps, a member of the left-wing Labour Party and the War Cabinet, was sent to negotiate with nationalist Congress leaders and Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Cripps offered the promise of self-government (Dominion status) after the war in exchange for India’s loyalty.

However, the Congress rejected Cripps proposals and called for civil disobedience, leading to the imprisonment of the Congress leadership. Jinnah supported the war effort, and the British government recognized his increasing influence. Jinnah was “surprised” by the offer to opt out of a future union with India.

Background Of Cripps Mission

5. AMERICAN PRESSURE FOR INDIAN SELF-RULE

• The United States saw Indian self-rule as a critical factor in their aid to Nationalist China.
• India was seen as a key logistical hub and source of military manpower.
• The Franklin Roosevelt administration saw Indian self-rule as important for post-war decolonization in Asia.
• American interest in Indian self-rule was driven by both ideology and commercial considerations.
• The United States saw the aid to China and securing supply routes through Burma as a priority and required India’s support.
• The US government saw the decolonization of Asia as a matter of national interest.
• The British government was reliant on the US for Lend-Lease supplies during the war and had to take US President Franklin Roosevelt‘s pressure seriously.
• On 9 March 1942, the British cabinet agreed to send a mission to India to discuss their offer of independence.
• Cripps plane landed in Delhi on 22 March 1942, with the British now willing to grant Indian independence at the end of the war.

Division in Indian Responses to World War II and the Arrival of Cripps

• The Indian National Congress was divided in its response to India’s entry into World War II with some leaders advocating for supporting the British in return for independence and others favoring a revolt against the British.
• Gandhi, the major leader of the Congress, was opposed to Indian involvement in the war and suspected the British intentions.
• Cripps, a friend of Nehru, arrived in India to hold talks with Indian leaders and attempted to arrange an agreement but faced distrust from both the Indian and British sides.
• Cripps offered India full dominion status at the end of the war with the option of seceding from the Commonwealth and going for total independence. However, he failed to present concrete short-term proposals for self-government.
• Cripps spent much of his time trying to encourage Congress and Jinnah to come to a common arrangement in support of the war effort, but there was little trust between the two sides.
• The Congress, guided by Gandhi, stopped talks with Cripps and demanded immediate self-government in return for war support. Gandhi rejected Cripps offer of Dominion Status after the war as a “post-dated cheque drawn on a failing bank”.

Purpose Of Cripps Mission

The Cripps Mission was sent to India following World War II for several reasons, which are listed as follows:

1. To secure India’s support for the war effort during World War II.
2. To address the growing demand for Indian independence and address the concerns of Indian political leaders
3. To negotiate a settlement for constitutional reforms in India and address the demand for a federal form of government.
4. To address the demand for increased representation and political rights for minorities, including religious and ethnic minorities.
5. To seek cooperation from Indian leaders for a post-war settlement in India, including the transfer of power from British colonial rule to Indian hands.

Proposal Of Cripps Mission

The proposal made by Sir Stafford Cripps was known as the “Cripps Proposals.” It was aimed at providing a framework for a new constitutional arrangement for India, which would grant greater autonomy to the Indian people while still allowing for British control.

The Cripps Proposals can be understand under the following points –

Dominion status: A new constitution was proposed to grant India Dominion status within the British Commonwealth.

Federal structure: The constitution was to be based on a federal structure, allowing for greater autonomy for individual provinces.

Representation for minorities: Separate representation for Muslims and other minority groups was proposed.

Power transfer: The transfer of power from the British government to an Indian government was proposed to take place after the end of World War II.

Muslim representation: Separate representation for Muslims was proposed to address their concerns about being a minority in a Hindu-majority nation.

Other minority groups: Representation for other minority groups was also proposed to ensure their rights and interests were protected.

Balancing representation: The proposals aimed to balance representation in such a way that the rights of minorities were protected while also ensuring the stability of the nation as a whole.

Addressing concerns: These proposals were meant to address the concerns of minority groups and ensure their rights and interests were protected in an independent India.

British control over defense and foreign affairs: The British government was to retain control over defense and foreign affairs.

Transfer of other powers: All other powers were to be transferred to the Indian government.

Timing: The transfer of power was proposed to take place after the end of World War II.

Steps towards self-government: Immediate steps towards self-government were proposed, including the formation of an interim government and the appointment of Indians to key positions in the government and the military.

Self-governing nation: India was proposed to be a self-governing nation within the British Commonwealth.

British Commonwealth: India would be a member of the British Commonwealth, meaning it would have a relationship with Britain and the other member nations.

Autonomy: India would have autonomy over its internal affairs, but would have limited control over its defense and foreign affairs.

Role of provinces: The role of the provinces in the Dominion was to be defined in the new constitution.

Conflict Or Cooperation Within Congress

Divisions within the Congress Party on India’s Entry into World War II

• Some leaders favored revolt against British rule
• Others, including Rajagopalachari, supported the British in hopes of receiving independence in return
• Gandhi opposed involvement in the war due to moral objections and distrust of British intentions
• Rajagopalachari and other leaders held talks with Cripps, offering full support in exchange for self-government and eventual independence

British Attempts to Gain Muslim Support

• Included a clause allowing provinces to opt out of post-war India.
• Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, supported the war effort and rejected Congress’ calls for cooperation and independence.
• Demanded a separate Muslim state, Pakistan, instead of pan-Indian cooperation.

Significance Of Cripps Mission in 1942

The significance of the Cripps Mission in 1942 can be summarized as follows:

1. Attempt at negotiation: The Cripps Mission was an attempt by the British government to negotiate a settlement with the Indian National Congress and other political parties on the future of India and its relationship with Britain.
2. World War II context: The mission was sent to India at a time when the country was preoccupied with the ongoing World War II, and it was intended to show the British government’s commitment to India’s future and to gain support for the war effort.
3. Closer collaboration between Congress and Muslim League: The mission led to a closer collaboration between the Congress and the Muslim League, who joined forces to demand greater autonomy for India and separate representation for Muslims.
4. Constitutional impact: The mission helped to shape the constitutional debates in India and the demand for greater autonomy for individual provinces and minority groups.
5. Marked a new phase in the independence movement: The Cripps Mission marked a new phase in the Indian independence movement and showed that the British government was not fully committed to granting independence to India and that further negotiations and struggles would be required to achieve this goal.

Why did Cripps Mission Failed?

The failure of the Cripps Mission was due to six main reasons, which are as follows:

1. Lack of support from Congress and other political parties: The proposals of the Cripps Mission did not have the support of the Indian National Congress and other political parties, who felt that the proposals did not go far enough in granting independence to India.
2. Muslim League’s stance: The Muslim League, which represented the interests of Muslims in India, was also not satisfied with the proposals, as they felt that separate representation for Muslims was not enough to protect their rights and interests.
3. Vague promises: The proposals were seen as vague and lacking in concrete details, which led to a lack of trust in the British government and its intentions.
4. Limited authority of the Mission: The Cripps Mission was seen as having limited authority, as it did not have the power to make binding agreements on behalf of the British government.
5. Timing: The timing of the mission was also a factor in its failure, as it was sent to India at a time when the country was preoccupied with the ongoing World War II and was not fully focused on the independence struggle.
6. Difference between Congress and British government: The differences between the Congress and the British government over the future of India and the power-sharing arrangements proposed by the Cripps Mission also contributed to the mission’s failure.

Long and Short Term Impact

Long and Short Terms Impact of Cripps Mission are discussed under the following points –

Long-Term Impact

1. Political impact: The Cripps Mission had a significant impact on Indian politics. It marked the beginning of a new phase in the independence movement and led to a closer collaboration between the Congress and the Muslim League, who joined forces to demand greater autonomy for India.
2. Constitutional impact: The mission helped to shape the constitutional debates in India and the demand for greater autonomy for individual provinces and minority groups.
3. Relations between India and Britain: The mission also had an impact on the relationship between India and Britain, as it showed that the British government was not fully committed to granting independence to India and that further negotiations and struggles would be required to achieve this goal.

Short-Term Impact

1. Failed to meet expectations: The Cripps Mission failed to meet the expectations of the Indian independence movement and the Muslim League, who felt that the proposals did not go far enough in granting independence to India.
2. Lack of support: The proposals of the mission did not have the support of the Congress and other political parties, who felt that the proposals were vague and lacking in concrete details.
3. Contributed to independence movement: Despite its failure, the Cripps Mission contributed to the independence movement by highlighting the need for greater autonomy for India and helping to shape the constitutional debates in the country.

Bottom Line

The Cripps Mission remains an important moment in India’s independence movement, representing a key moment in the transition from British rule to independence. Its legacy is a testament to the ongoing struggle for independence and the sacrifices made by the people of India to achieve this goal.