In the previous post, we read about the Shimla Conference and the election of 1945. Actually, Muslim League was stubborn in its demand for a separate state. So, to resolve this issue, the British government came out with the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. It was the last attempt to avoid the partition of the Indian subcontinent.
Cabinet Mission Plan 1946
On February 19, 1946, Lord Pethick Lawrence proposed a Cabinet Mission under his leadership and other two members, Sir Stafford Cripps and A V Alexander. This mission after getting permission from British Prime Minister Attlee came to India on March 15, 1946.
Mr Attlee said,
We are very mindful of the rights of minorities and minorities should be able to live free from fear. But, we can not allow a minority to place a veto on the advance of the majority.
This statement from Mr Attlee shattered the dreams of the Muslim League. But then they were not ready to surrender. Cabinet Mission outrightly rejected the demand of the Muslim League for a separate state. Cabinet Mission rejected the demand on a certain basis, the reasons are as follows.
Rejected Demand for Separate State
The members of the mission were of the opinion that the creation of a separate state would not solve the problem of communal riots. It was because the percentage of non-Muslims living in the north-west zone of Pakistan was 37.93% and non-Muslims living in the north-eastern zone was 48.31% of the total population. So, it would be against the wishes and interests of a very large proportion of the population.
Provisions of Cabinet Mission
The main provision of the Cabinet Mission was the recommendation of the Constitution of India. The other provisions are,
- There should be a federal government in India. The federal would be an amalgamation of British Provinces and Princely states.
- The Union of India should have an executive and legislature constituted from British India and States.
- Provinces would have full autonomy for all subjects of the provincial list.
- The provinces are divided into 3 groups. Group A: Madras, Bombay, UP, Bihar, Orissa and Central Province. Group B: Sindh, North-Western Frontier Province and Punjab and Group C: Bengal and Assam.
- Establishment of Constituent Assembly to make the Indian Constitution.
Though Cabinet Mission attempted for the Union of India. But then Muslim League leaders did not accept this proposal. Congress accepted this proposal.
But here comes the time when the Navy revolted against the British government. Naval Revolt happened and changed the dynamics. Total independence was the last resort for the Britishers to safeguard their interest in Europe and the rest of the world.
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