Q. With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
2. 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?
Answer: B
Notes:
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
In March 1942, a mission headed by Stafford Cripps was sent to India with constitutional proposals to seek Indian support for the war.
The main proposals of the Cripps mission were as follows:
- An Indian Union with a dominion status would be set up; it would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth and free to participate in the United Nations and other international bodies.
- After the end of the war, a constituent assembly would be convened to frame a new constitution. Members of this assembly would be partly elected by the provincial assemblies through proportional representation and partly nominated by the princes. (Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect)
- The British government would accept the new constitution subject to two conditions: (i) any province not willing to join the Union could have a separate constitution and form a separate Union, and (ii) the new constitution- making body and the British government would negotiate a treaty to effect the transfer of power and to safeguard racial and religious minorities. (Hence, Statement 2 is correct)
- In the meantime, defence of India would remain in British hands and the governor-general’s powers would remain intact.
Sources: CH- 22 Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II, Brief_History_of_Modern_India_by_Rajiv_Ahir_Spectrum_2019_New.pdf
