Cabinet Mission Plan
Quick Summary
The Cabinet Mission Plan was a proposal by the British government in 1946 to resolve the deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League regarding the transfer of power in India. The plan, drafted by Stafford Cripps, suggested a three-tier federation for India. This structure included a minimal central government in Delhi to handle defense, foreign affairs, communications, and related finances. The subcontinent would be divided into three groups of provinces: Group A (Hindu-majority provinces), Group B (Muslim-majority provinces in the west), and Group C (Bengal and Assam).1
Each group government would have significant autonomy, with provinces having the option to opt out of their group. This plan aimed to create a unified India while accommodating the concerns of different religious and regional groups. However, it faced challenges, including the complex position of the Sikh population and the unresolved demand for Pakistan by the Muslim League. The failure of this plan contributed to the eventual partition of India.12
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