With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
- The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
- Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution, would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The Cripps Mission (1942) proposed constitutional arrangements that included provisions for provinces unwilling to accept the new constitution. Statement 2 is correct as it accurately reflects this proposal, while Statement 1 contains a subtle but critical error regarding the composition of the Constituent Assembly.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Cripps Mission proposed that Constituent Assembly members would be elected by Provincial Assemblies, but nominated by the rulers in case of Princely States. The statement uses "nominated by" for both, which is factually incorrect for Provincial Assemblies.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The mission explicitly allowed provinces that did not accept the new constitution to have the right to sign separate agreements with Britain regarding their future status, giving them an opt-out provision.
📝 Short Notes: Cripps Mission (1942)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Background | Sent by British PM Winston Churchill in March 1942, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, to secure Indian cooperation during World War II |
| Main Proposals | • Dominion status for India after the war • Constitution-making body with members elected by Provincial Assemblies and nominated by Princely State rulers • Provinces could opt out and form separate unions • British control over defense during the war |
| Why Rejected | • Congress wanted immediate transfer of power, not post-war promises • Muslim League objected to grouping formula • No real transfer of power during the war • Provision for partition implicit in opt-out clause |
| Gandhi's Remark | Called it a "post-dated cheque on a crashing bank" |
| Significance | First British acceptance of India's right to independence; recognized Princely States' importance; accepted principle of partition |
Question 1 of 2 Cripps Mission
Practice PYQ questions from this topic across all years
First question in this topic
The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War -