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?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: b) 2 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper
Explanation :
Cripps Mission to India in 1942
The Cripps Mission was sent to India in 1942 by the British government with the aim of securing Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II. Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet, led the mission and proposed a draft declaration of the British government’s intentions for the future of India.
Analysis of the Cripps Mission Proposals
1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
This statement is incorrect. The Cripps Mission proposed that the Constituent Assembly would be composed of members elected by the Provincial Assemblies and representatives of the Princely States. However, the members from the Provincial Assemblies would be elected based on the principle of proportional representation, not nominated.
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.
This statement is correct. One of the key proposals of the Cripps Mission was to allow any province not willing to accept the new constitution the option to retain its current constitutional position or to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. This was intended to address the concerns of Muslim-majority areas, where the Muslim League was demanding a separate nation (which would later become Pakistan).
Therefore, the correct answer is “2 only,” as the second statement accurately reflects the proposals of the Cripps Mission.
