Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Simla Conference 1946/May Statement
- Simla Conference May 1946
- Wavell joined 3 man delegation to form British
party with 4 reps from Congress and ML
- 2 options offered
- Option 1 - Preferred Option
- India as single state with 3 tier structure, made up of:
- A minimal union govt - responsible for
foreign affairs, defence and communication
- Self-selected regional groupings of provinces,
exercising all other govermental powers
- The existing provinces
- This option also included the chance that regional
groupings would have a chance to secede
- via plebiscite, to become independent states
- Option 2 - Less well Preferred
- 2 state outcomes Hindustan/Pakistan
- 2 states would conclude formal
treaties with eachother
- But have no common govt
- Partition would happen on religious lines
- Reaction
- Congress
- Couldn't agree to either option
- Both could lead to partition
- Too much of a compromise
- Muslim League
- Obviously favoured 2nd option
- Jinnah's health was deteriorating
- Wanted to be first leader for Pakistan
- Wouldn't have time to wait for plebiscites in first option
- After 2 full sessions, Pethick Lawrence wound up proceedings
- Not getting anywhere
- Too much of a compromise for both sides
- Congress did not want Muslim independent state
- Muslims only want an independent state
- British Aims of Simla Conference
- Option 2 is there to push Congress into supporting first option
- Option 1 is there to tempt ML into accepting it -
offers seceding and Muslim state govts
- May statement flow chart
- British decide to go ahead with option 1 despite lack of support
- Congress Reject this move
- Jinnah accepts statement, publically
emphasising the sacrifice he made
- Congress re-interpret May Statement
- They change it to, when the Muslims move to the North West- after a while
they should be able to decide whether they want to be part of India or Pakistan
- British Accept this interpretation
- Jinnah is Furious
- Declares direct Action Day
- Leads to Great Calcutta Killings