Cripps Mission 1942, History, Proposals, Failure, Significance

Cripps Mission

Cripps Mission: In order to secure Indian support for British war efforts during the Second World War, the British government dispatched the Cripps Mission to India in March 1942. Sir Richard Stafford Cripps, a minister for labour in Winston Churchill’s coalition administration in Britain, served as its leader. The US and other allied leaders put pressure on Britain for its own imperial practices in India and to win India’s assistance for the Allied war effort. The British government decided to send Cripps to India as a result of this.

Cripps Mission Background 

The collapse of Burma was a shock to the British in the war as Japan was moving over India’s eastern frontiers. India faced the possibility of a Japanese invasion, and India’s assistance was crucial to Britain’s war operations. India was made a party to the Second World War in 1939 by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow since it was a part of the British Empire. The Congress Party vigorously protested since this was done without consulting Indians. The party leaders who oversaw the administrations of seven provinces resigned from their positions. It was referred to as the “Day of Deliverance” by the Muslim League.

The US and other allied leaders put pressure on Britain for its own imperial practices in India and to win India’s assistance for the Allied war effort. The British government decided to send Cripps to India as a result of this.

Cripps Mission History

To enlist Indian support for World War II, a delegation led by Stafford Cripps was dispatched to India in March 1942 with constitutional recommendations. Due to Britain’s setbacks in South-East Asia, the Japanese threat to invade India felt serious at this point, making Indian help essential. The Allies (the USA, USSR, and China) put pressure on Britain to enlist the help of India. In exchange for fast and large power transfers and unconditional independence after the war, Indian nationalists had agreed to support the Allies.

Cripps Mission Main Proposals 

Setting up of an Indian dominion: An Indian Union with dominion status would be established, and it would be free to choose how it interacted with the Commonwealth and with other international organisations.

Establishment of constituent assembly: A constituent assembly would be called to form a new constitution following the conclusion of the conflict. Through proportional representation, the provincial legislatures would elect some members of this assembly while the princes would nominate others. Members would all be Indians as a result.

The new constitution-making body and the British government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of power and to protect racial and religious minorities. The British government would accept the new constitution under these two conditions: (i) any province unwilling to join the Union could have a separate constitution and form a separate Union, and (ii) the British government would not object to the new constitution.

The Governor-authority General would be unaffected in the interim, and British control over India’s defence would continue.

Cripps Mission Failure

• The British and the INC, who desired total independence, both viewed the measures as being too conservative and too radical, respectively.
• The Muslim League, the INC, and other Indian organisations also rejected the Mission.
• The Liberals and the Hindu Mahasabha opposed states’ rights to secede.
• Because they were concerned about their position in a nation where they would be a minority, the Depressed Classes objected.
• The Viceroy Linlithgow, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Secretary of State for India Leo Amery are also thought to have refused to assist the expedition, which is another reason why it is thought to have failed.

Congress objected to:

1. Offering dominion status as an alternative to a clause mandating total independence;

2. The princely states are represented by nominations rather than elected representatives;

3. Right of provinces to secede as this violated the idea of national unity; Absence of any plan for an immediate transfer of power;

4. Absence of any real share in defence; Retention of the Governor-supremacy; General’s Refusal to accept the demand that the Governor-General only serves as the constitutional head.

Cripps Mission Significance 

• The British government officially recognised India’s ability to be a dominion for the first time.
• Indians have the ability to draught their own Constitution.
• Giving the provinces the option to form their own union turned out to be a precedent for the country’s separation in 1947.
• The option to leave the Commonwealth implied eventual full sovereignty.
• Indians were promised a sizable portion of the administration during the transitional era.

Cripps Mission UPSC

Cripps Mission was sent to India to garner India’s support to the British in WW II in March 1942. India was made a party to the Second World War in 1939 by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow since it was a part of the British Empire. The Main proposals of Cripps Mission Setting up an Indian dominion and the Establishment of a constituent assembly. The British government officially recognised India’s ability to be a dominion for the first time. Indians have the ability to draught their own Constitution. The Muslim League, the INC, and other Indian organisations also rejected the Mission. The Liberals and the Hindu Mahasabha opposed states’ rights to secede.

Cripps Mission FAQs

Q. What was Cripps Mission?

Ans. In order to secure Indian support for British war efforts during the Second World War, the British government dispatched the Cripps Mission to India in March 1942. Sir Richard Stafford Cripps, a minister for labour in Winston Churchill’s coalition administration in Britain, served as its leader.

Q. When did Cripps Mission visit India?

Ans.1942

Q. What was the main purpose of Cripps mission?

Ans. The main purpose of Cripps’ mission was to enlist Indian assistance in helping the British fight the war.

Q.Who was the head of Cripps mission?

Ans. Stafford Cripps

Q. Did Cripps mission pass in its objectives?

Ans. No, It failed. The Muslim League, the INC, and other Indian organisations also rejected the Mission.

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