Home > Indian History > History of India > Amery`s Proposal
Amery`s Proposal
Amery`s Proposal for the settlement of a conference could not be idealized due to its unfeasible matters.

Share this Article:

Lord-WavellThe talk between Gandhi and Jinnah regarding separation of India was a complete breakdown. After the failure of the talks Lord Wavell wanted His Majesty`s Government to intervene to solve the problem of India. Moreover, Lord Wavell decided to hold a conference of Governors in August 1944. During the conference, the political situation of India was taken up. The issues regarding elections to be held at the Centre and in the provinces were also discussed. Furthermore, Lord Wavell proceeded with the assembling of another small conference of the principal Indian leaders, including, Gandhiji and Jinnah, one representative each of the Congress and the Muslim League, of the Sikhs, Depressed Classes, non-Congress Hindus, non-League Muslims and Labour. The question of the composition of the transitional government was discussed in the conference. On the other hand, Amery`s Proposal was to set up a conference in India with the National Defence Council as its nucleus which would solve the administrative problems in the country.

The Viceroy discussed matters in the small conference regarding the period after the settlement of the new transitional government. The Viceroy would encourage it to prepare and communicate to His Majesty`s Government proposals for the establishment of the constitution and treaty-making body. But while communicating his plan to the Secretary of State the Viceroy admitted that there were obvious difficulties and risks. In addition to that, the Secretary of State also identified the problems underlying the Viceroy`s proposals. He saw in them inherent practical difficulties. According to him, a prior agreement between the political parties with regard to the constitutional future, there was bound to be such tension within the Executive Council.

During this time, Amery`s proposal of an alternative plan came to the forefront. According to him, the Viceroy might set up a conference of less unbalanced and incompatible elements in Indian polity. This should be set up with the purpose of discussing the basis of a future constitution for India. The National Defence Council would be the nucleus of the conference which already included representatives of the Princes. This body could be reinforced by the premiers of provinces, elder statesmen, representatives of the Depressed Classes and Labour, and representatives of the Fighting Services, including those of the Indian States. Moreover, a small committee might also be selected from within it to concentrate on planning. The Congress and the League would be represented on the elected body.

Gandhiji The Secretary of State thought that this plan would help in avoiding the serious administrative difficulties inherent in the Viceroy`s proposals during the critical war period. The Congress and the Muslim League would confront each other and dominate the discussions with their conflicting differences. Amery put forth the idea that the British Government ought to declare that they recognised India as a country enjoying the full freedom of status. In addition to that the Parliament in England would have no power to legislate for Indian affairs except at the request of an Indian Government. However, according to Lord Wavell`s view, Amery`s proposal of the alternative plan was quite unfeasible. Thus, Amery was unable to translate his ideas into practice. During the time of Amery`s proposal, there was newer approach in the political field. After the breakdown of the Gandhi-Jinnah talks a bitter controversy started among the Hindu and Muslim extremists over the Pakistan issue. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was quite concerned on the deteriorating communal situation of the country. A proposal was forwarded by Sapru, which stated that Gandhiji should call a National Convention.

Liaqat-Ali-Khan In addition to that Sir Tej Bahadur suggested to Gandhiji that the Standing Committee of the Non-party Conference should set up a committee and prescribe for it certain duties. This committee would not bring about a settlement but understand the point of view of each party and to act as a sort of conciliation board by establishing contacts with the leaders of all parties. Gandhiji accepted the suggestion, but pointed out that members of the committee would not belong to the Congress, the League, the Mahasabha, or any of the recognized parties. This Standing Committee of the Non-party Conference met on 19 November 1944, and decided to set up a committee which would examine the whole communal and minorities question from a constitutional and political point of view. The Viceroy thus urged on the Secretary of State that his proposals should be considered by the Cabinet, even though action might have to be delayed pending the result of the Sapru Committee`s discussions. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru announced the names of the members of his ` Conciliation Committee` on 3rd December.

The Viceroy suggested in the annual address to the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Calcutta in December 1944 that the condition of political problem in the country needs further attention apart from quit India movement. In the year 1945 Bhulabhai Desai had been working in close co-operation with Liaqat Ali Khan, the real leader of the Muslim League Party in the legislature. Thus a Desai- Liaqat Ali Pact was formed which stated that the interim Government would work within the present constitution. In the provinces, the existing ministries would not be interfered with, though there might be adjustments based on party agreements with which His Majesty`s Government would not be concerned.

The Viceroy did not agree with the Sapru Committee and its recommendations were published shortly after Lord Wavell`s departure for London. The main features included were that a national government should replace the present Executive Council at the Centre; that in the provinces the Congress ministries should resume office but with an admixture of non-Congress parties; that in the constitution-making body, representation of Hindus (excluding Scheduled Castes) and Muslims should be equal; that similar parity in the central Assembly should be conditional on Muslims agreeing to joint electorates with reservation of seats instead of separate electorates; that no decision of the constitution-making body should be valid unless it was supported by three-fourths of the members present and voting, and that His Majesty`s Government, while accepting the decisions so made, should supplement them by its own awards where the requisite majority was not obtained The Committee also rejected the Pakistan idea.

The moment Lord Wavell reached London he began his discussions with the Secretary of State and the India Committee immediately. The plan put forth by the Viceroy for a conference was generally accepted. The general plan was that the leaders of the two main parties Congress and Muslim League and of other parties as well, should be invited. The members of the Congress Working Committee who were detained had been released on the insistence of Lord Wavell.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.