Page 97 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners

GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners

Allies. President Roosevelt of America felt that some move should be made to

solve the "Indian problem" and induct the Indian leaders into the struggle

against the Axis powers. The pressure of circumstances was too much even for
Churchill, the war time Prime Minister of Britain, who was a known opponent of

Indian independence. The British War Cabinet drafted its proposals for future

constitutional change in India, and sent Sir Stafford Cripps, a well-known friend

of India, to persuade Indian leaders to accept the proposals.

The proposals were in two parts. The long-term proposals visualized that after

the war, India would acquire the right to be a full Dominion (with the right to
opt out of the Empire). But the States or provinces and the Rulers would be

free to remain out of the new Dominion and retain direct relationship with the

British Crown. In the immediate present, there would be a new Executive

Council to assist the Viceroy, but it will not have the rights of a cabinet of the
type that ruled in England.

Gandhi who was summoned by Sir Stafford looked at the proposals and advised

Sir Staffard to take the next plane home as the proposals were not acceptable
to India. He returned to his Ashram at Wardha.

The Congress leaders had long discussions with Sir Stafford, and finally rejected
the proposal because it would pave the way for a fragmentation of India. In the

immediate present, it would only enable the Government to put up a facade

that Indians were part of the Government.

Sir Stafford's mission was a failure. He returned to England, and blamed

Gandhi, although Gandhi had taken no part in the negotiations between the

Congress and the British Government.

India felt frustrated. There was a mood of indignation and anxiety. The war was

no longer distant for India. The Japanese had overrun the entire Asian coast

and Singapore. They had occupied Burma and were knocking at the door of
India at Manipur. It looked as though British invincibility was a myth. The British

Army was being forced to withdraw from country after country. It was

withdrawing after destroying crops and other materials to ensure that the

Japanese did not have access to them. What was to happen to the people of

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