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Difficulty: MediumConstitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India

Consider the following statements regarding the Rajagopalachari (C.R.) Formula of 1944 devised to solve the political deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League:

1. The Muslim League was to endorse the Indian demand for independence and cooperate with the Congress in forming a provisional interim government at the centre.
2. A plebiscite of all inhabitants in the demarcated contiguous Muslim-majority areas of North-West and North-East India was to decide whether or not to form a separate sovereign state.
3. The terms and provisions of the formula were to be implemented immediately while World War II was still ongoing.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.
The Rajagopalachari Formula of 1944 was a tacit acceptance of the demand for Pakistan under specific conditions. It required the League to cooperate with Congress in an interim government during the transition. A post-war commission would demarcate Muslim-majority areas where all inhabitants would vote on separation. Crucially, these proposals were to be implemented only after the end of World War II and the complete transfer of power by Great Britain. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct while statement 3 is incorrect.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding Muslim League cooperation.
Statement 1 is correct.
The C.R. Formula required the Muslim League to support the Congress demand for complete independence and join in forming an interim federal government.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding the plebiscite mechanism.
Statement 2 is correct.
It proposed appointing a commission after the war to demarcate contiguous districts in the North-West and North-East with absolute Muslim majorities, where a plebiscite of all inhabitants (not just Muslims) would decide on separation.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding the timeline of implementation.
Statement 3 is incorrect.
The formula explicitly stated that its provisions would be binding only in the event of full transfer of power by Great Britain after the termination of World War II.

Key Concept

Rajagopalachari (C.R.) Formula of 1944
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Topics

Constitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India