Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the Cabinet Mission Plan:
- It was only an attempt to decide the modalities of the transfer of power to the new government for the question of complete independence that was already settled.
- It sought to give concrete shape to the offer made by the Cripps Mission.
Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer:
Both 1 and 2
Notes: The British government had sent in March 1946, a Cabinet Mission to India to negotiate with the Indian leaders the terms for the transfer of power to Indians. It meant that it was a settled matter that India was to be free. The only question left to be decided was the manner and modalities of transfer of power i.e. interim government, constituent assembly, relation with the British Crown, basic framework of government, question of partition, etc. Thus, statement 1 is correct. The Cripps Mission had earlier offered a 'Dominion Status' and to convene a Constituent Assembly, once the war was over. But, it was found untrustworthy since no one knew when the WWII would be over and what would be its outcome. Cabinet Mission came after the war was over. It focused on two things: -
- Setting up an interim government to which the power could be handed over; and
- Scheme for the election and organisation of a Constituent Assembly.
Thus, one can say that Cabinet Mission provided what was earlier promised by the Cripps Mission, but only in more clear terms. Thus, statement 2 is correct.