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Pak Studies History IGCSEPDF 84
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The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
Q5: Why did the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 fail? (7 marks)
In March 1946, the British Government sent a Cabinet Mission—Sir
Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A. V. Alexander—to India to propose a
constitutional framework for independence.
India to remain united but divided into three groups:
○ Group A: Hindu-majority provinces.
○ Group B: Muslim-majority provinces in the northwest.
○ Group C: Muslim-majority provinces in the east.
A Union Government would control defense, foreign affairs, and
communications.
Provinces could later decide whether to stay in the Union or separate.
Reactions
○ The Muslim League accepted the plan initially, viewing it as a step
toward Pakistan.
○ The Congress accepted only parts of the plan and rejected the grouping
scheme.
○ The League later withdrew its acceptance and called for Direct Action
to achieve Pakistan.
The Cabinet Mission Plan failed because of fundamental disagreement between the
Congress and the Muslim League. The Congress opposed the grouping of provinces,
as it feared it would strengthen Muslim autonomy. The League, on the other hand,
insisted that the grouping was essential to safeguard Muslim interests. When the
Viceroy allowed Congress-ruled provinces to opt out of groups, the League saw it as a
betrayal and withdrew its support. The collapse of the plan ended hopes for a united
India and made partition inevitable.
with Muslim populations, including Bengal, Punjab, Sindh, and the NWFP. Even in
rural areas, Muslim voters supported the League’s Pakistan demand. This victory
transformed the League from a regional to a national party and gave Jinnah a
powerful mandate in negotiations with the British and the Congress. The success also
convinced Muslims that Pakistan was achievable, greatly increasing the momentum
of the independence movement.
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