History & Civics
In the historic photograph, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is seen giving his famous speech in the Constituent Assembly on August 14, 1947. In this context answer the following:
(a) Mention the Provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 regarding the Constituent Assembly?
(b) Discuss three basic reasons why the Cabinet Mission Plan rejected the demand for Pakistan.
(c) Mention four important reasons for the All-India Congress Committee accepting the Mountbatten Plan.
India Independence
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Answer
(a) The provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 regarding the Constituent Assembly were that the Constituent Assemblies of both the dominions were to act as the Central Legislatures and would have full powers to make laws for their respective Dominion. They would act as sovereign bodies for legislative purposes.
(b) Three basic reasons because of which the Cabinet Mission Plan rejected the demand for Pakistan were-
- The establishment of Pakistan would not solve the problem of communal minorities because the number of Muslims in the remaining part of British India and the number of non-Muslims in Pakistan would be sizeable.
- There was no justification for including within Pakistan, the non-Muslim districts of Bengal, Assam and Punjab.
- The armed forces, transportation as well as the postal and telegraph system had been built for India as a whole and the partition would create many problems.
(c) Four important reasons for the All-India Congress Committee accepting the Mountbatten Plan were-
- The large-scale communal riots that engulfed the whole country convinced all that the only solution to the communal problem lay in the Partition of India.
- The League had joined the Interim Government to obstruct and not to cooperate. Experience of working with the League had convinced the Congress that it could not have a joint administration with the League.
- The only alternative to Partition was a Federation with a weak Centre. A smaller India with a strong central authority was better than a bigger State with weak Centre.
- Any further continuation of British rule would mean a greater calamity for India. The British were instigating the rulers of the Indian States to remain independent. Hence, partition was the price for immediate independence.
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Related Questions
With reference to the newspaper article answer the questions that follow:
(a) Which Plan is referred to in the given newspaper article? State any two features of this Plan.
(b) How was the Plan supposed to solve the communal problem existing in India?
(c) Why did the Congress accept the Plan? State three reasons to justify its acceptance.
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes, when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom… It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still large cause of humanity.”
—Tryst with Destiny Speech by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru(a) What happened at the stroke of midnight hour? Which unending quest is Jawaharlal Nehru talking about in the excerpt? Who all strived to end this quest?
(b) Where and when did Jawaharlal Nehru made this historic speech? Name any two famous dignitaries present there?
(c) Name the British Act that led to Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech. State three features of this Act.
A number of Acts were passed by the British to pacify the demands of the Indians relating to the Government of India. But the Independence Act, 1947 is considered as a unique piece of legislation. Why is it so? Give reasons to support your answer.
Do you think that the All-India Congress Party had no alternative but to accept the Mountbatten Plan? Support your answer with examples.