Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 was a British proposal aimed at ensuring the peaceful transfer of power to India while preserving its unity. It was significant as it rejected the demand for Pakistan and laid the groundwork for the formation of the Constituent Assembly to draft India’s Constitution. This article aims to study in detail the provisions, merits, and challenges of the Cabinet Mission Plan, along with its impact on India’s independence movement.

About Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

• The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 marked a pivotal chapter in India’s journey toward independence.
• The British Government’s final attempt was to transfer power to Indian hands while ensuring a peaceful exit.
• Sent by British Prime Minister Clement Attlee in February 1946, the mission arrived in March to address the complex political demands of Indian stakeholders and devise a framework for an independent India.
• The mission comprised three distinguished members: Pethick Lawrence, Secretary of State for India; Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade; and A.V. Alexander, First Lord of Admiralty.
• By this time, Britain had resolved to leave India as soon as possible, realising that a swift and orderly withdrawal would better serve the imperial interests.

Key Provisions of Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

On May 16, 1946, after extensive consultations with Indian political leaders, the Cabinet Mission proposed a detailed plan with the following key provisions:

• India to Remain a United Union: The mission categorically rejected the demand for Pakistan, terming it impractical. Instead, it recommended that India remain a united union.
• Provincial Groupings: The plan divided British Indian provinces and territories into three groups:
  • Group A: Madras, Bombay, Central Provinces, United Provinces, Bihar, and Odisha (Hindu-majority provinces).
  • Group B: Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sind, and Baluchistan (Muslim-majority provinces).
  • Group C: Bengal and Assam (Muslim-majority provinces).
• Autonomy for Provinces: Provinces were granted full autonomy in all subjects except defence, foreign affairs, and communications, which were under Union jurisdiction. Residual powers were vested in the provinces.
• Constituent Assembly: A Constituent Assembly was to be formed with indirectly elected representatives. Provincial legislatures would elect these members using proportional representation. Princes from native states would nominate their representatives. Each member would represent one million people.
• Separate Constitutions for Groups: The provinces in each group were allowed to draft their separate constitutions. However, after the first general elections, any province could choose to exit the group or reconsider the Union constitution after ten years.
• Federation of India: A unified federation, including princely states, was proposed to ensure collective governance.
• Interim Government: Until the new constitution was finalized, an Interim National Government composed of Indian leaders from various political parties was proposed. All members, except the Governor-General, would be Indian.

Members of Cabinet Mission Plan

• The Cabinet Mission Plan, sent by the British government to India in 1946, comprised three key members:
  • Lord Pethick-Lawrence (Secretary of State for India),
  • Sir Stafford Cripps (President of the Board of Trade), and
  • A. V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty).
• These senior British officials were tasked with negotiating India’s constitutional future and facilitating the transition of power.
• Their mission aimed to preserve India’s unity while addressing communal tensions, primarily between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
• The members also played a critical role in drafting proposals that laid the foundation for the Constituent Assembly, emphasizing federal governance and provincial autonomy.

Merits of Cabinet Mission Plan

• Balance Between Conflicting Demands: The plan attempted to balance the Congress’s demand for a unified India and the Muslim League’s demand for Pakistan.
• Rejection of Pakistan: The plan underscored the British intent to maintain India’s unity by rejecting the partition.
• Safeguards for Minorities: Decisions in the Constituent Assembly were to be made by a simple majority, with adequate safeguards for minority communities.
• Non-Interference in Constitution-Making: The British Government pledged not to interfere in the constitution-making process, giving Indians full autonomy.
• Last Effort for Unity: The plan is often regarded as the British’s final major effort to preserve India’s unity and integrity.

Issues with Cabinet Mission Plan

While both Congress and the Muslim League initially accepted the plan, significant differences soon emerged:

• Ambiguity on Provincial Groupings: The Congress interpreted the grouping of provinces as optional, while the League viewed it as mandatory. This difference led to disputes and confusion.
• Elections to Constituent Assembly: In July 1946, elections for the Constituent Assembly saw the Congress secure 205 seats and the Muslim League capture 73 out of 78 Muslim seats. The results deepened the divide.
• Muslim League’s Withdrawal and Direct Action: On July 29, 1946, the Muslim League withdrew its acceptance of the plan and announced Direct Action Day on August 16, 1946, to press for the creation of Pakistan. The day was marked by widespread communal violence, especially in Calcutta, leading to over 5,000 deaths.

Direct Action Day (1946)

• The communal violence that erupted on August 16, 1946, highlighted the deepening rift between communities.
• Calcutta, under a Muslim League government, witnessed some of the worst riots.
• The violence soon spread to other parts of India, including Noakhali, Bombay, Bihar, and the United Provinces, leaving thousands dead and further polarising the political atmosphere.

Read our detailed article on the Direct Action Day (1946).

Formation of Interim Government

• To prevent further unrest, Viceroy Wavell invited Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress President, to form the Interim Government, which assumed office on September 2, 1946.
• After continued negotiations, the Muslim League initially refused to join but eventually agreed on October 26, 1946.
• However, the League adopted an obstructionist approach within the Interim Government, opposing Congress decisions and appointments.
• This created a hostile working environment, making it nearly impossible for the two parties to function cohesively.

Significance of Cabinet Mission Plan

• Set the Stage for Independence: The plan laid the groundwork for India’s transition to independence by outlining a framework for governance and constitution-making.
• Final Attempt at Unity: Despite its eventual failure, the plan represented the last major effort to preserve the unity of India and avoid partition.
• Communal Polarization: The plan’s fallout highlighted the deep communal divisions in Indian society, ultimately leading to the partition of India.
• Formation of Constituent Assembly: The elections and subsequent formation were significant milestones in India’s journey toward becoming a sovereign republic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Cabinet Mission Plan was a significant, though ultimately unsuccessful, effort by the British to ensure a peaceful transfer of power while balancing the aspirations of India’s diverse political and communal interests. Its rejection of Pakistan and emphasis on a united India reflected the complexities of Indian politics in the final years of British rule.

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