By 1939, after the resignation of members from legislative assembly, INC demanded the status of independence of India or at least Provincial National Government
Viceroy Lord Linlithgow turned down the request by August 8, 1940; called ‘August Statement’
Instead suggested the following (aimed at Indian Support for WW2)
Expansion of Viceroy’s executive council with more number of Indian members
Representative constitution-making body to be set up after war
War advisory council to be set up consisting of representatives of British India and the Indian states
Viceroy promised league and other minorities that British govt would never agree to a constitution or govt in India w/o their support
INC rejected the August offer
Muslim league proclaimed themselves satisfied only with a partition
Cripps Mission 1942
Under the pressure of US president Roosevelt and Chinese president Chiang Kai Shek, Churchill decided to send a mission to India to seek active cooperation against Japan to whom Rangoon had fallen to
Stafford Cripps submitted the following suggestions after discussing with leaders of various political parties
British govt is to provide dominion status to India
Fresh elections to all provincial legislature, after which a constitution-making body would be set up, after the war. Members of this body will be elected by provincial assemblies and nominated by princely states
Govt of Britain would accept the constitution with a provision that if any Indian province disagrees to accept the constitution, will reside outside Indian union and can negotiate directly or separately with Britain
During the war, an executive council composed of leaders of principal sections of Indian people. British Govt will have complete control over defence and military operations.
INC rejected it seeking action for promise; League rejected it demanding partition
Wavell Plan and Simla Conference 1945
To resolve political deadlock after 1939, Viceroy went to England for consultation and to create conducive atmosphere for dialogue ordered in March 1945
4th June 1945, all the working committee members of INC were released
Proposed a new executive council of 14 members with all Indians except Viceroy & CIC (Muslims even though only 25% of the population, was over-represented with 6 members
All portfolios except defence were to be under the control of Indian members
Cabinet Mission 1946
Announced on 19th Feb 1946
Members
Sir Pethick-Lawrence – SOS for India
Sir Stafford Cripps – President of the board of trade
A V Alexander – 1st Lord of Admiralty
Objectives
Find out means and ways for peaceful transfer of power
Suggest measures for the formation of constitution-making machinery
To setup interim Govt
Formation of constitution-making body and developments leading to Indian Independence act 1947
14 membered Interim govt formed – 1946
Features of Schemes
Total strength of constituent assembly 389
British India 296
The Princely States 93
Seats to be allowed w.r.t population
From three principal communities
Muslims
Sikhs
Others
Representatives of community to be selected by members of the respective community from provincial assembly through proportional representation
Members of princely states are to be nominated by respective heads
Members are to be indirectly elected by provincial assemblies
Elections were held in July-August 1946
INC 208; ML 73; Others 15
93 princely states remained vacant
the first meeting on December 9, 1946; boycotted by ML demanding Pakistan and there were only 211 member
Satchithanand Sinha was elected pro term chairman (French practice to select senior most member)
objective resolution by Nehru on 13 December 1946, approved by the assembly on 22nd January 1947; later modified as the preamble of Indian Constitution
Interim government was formed with the members of viceroys executive council, on September 2, 1946
February 20, 1947, Clement Atlee declared that British rule in India will end by June 30, 1948
Balkan/ June 3/ Mount Batten plan accepted partition and right to secede from British Commonweal
Indian Independence Act 1947
Enacted by the acceptance of Mount Batten plan by INC and ML
British rule to be over by 15 August 1947
Partition into two dominions and right to secede from British Commonwealth
Viceroy’s office was abolished and replaced by Governor General for each dominion, to be appointed by British monarch, GOB has no responsibility w.r.t GOI and GOP
Authorised constituent Assemblies of both dominions to enact laws with respect to their dominion till the new Constitution is framed; Acts of British Parliament is not applicable after 15 August 1947
Office of SOS abolished
British paramountcy over princely states and treaties with tribal areas were done away with Princely states
Princely states were free to join any of the dominions
Governor General of India and provincial governors were made nominal heads as they had to act as per the council of ministers Appointments to civil services and reservation of p
Appointments to civil services and reservation of posts by SOS was stopped
British monarch was made to remove emperor of India from Royal styles and titles
