BY

ABDUL AZIZ UQAILI

JANUARY 23, 2010
1
 Writea short note on any One of the
following:

Salient provisions of 1935 Act and their

impact on constitution making in
Pakistan. (1994)

2
 TheAct contained 32 sections and 10
schedules:
 Part I pertained to Provincial subjects while
 Part II related to Federation / Federal Govt.

 TheAct enforced on 01-04-1937 (Except for

part II)

 Part
II (dealing with All India Federation) was
conditional upon accession of a certain
number of princely states to the Federation.
That did not happen till WW II (1939-45).
Therefore, it was not implemented.
3
4
 Federationof India comprising of both
provinces and ‘states’ provided

 Provinces made separate legal entities for

the first time – India divided into 11
provinces and Provincial Autonomy granted

 “Dyarchy” was completely eliminated –

Single cabinet on British pattern and
Governor normally acted on its advice

5
 Three lists of subjects:
 Federal (exclusive jurisdiction of Central Govt.)
 Provincial (exclusive jurisdiction of Provincial
Govts.)
 Concurrent (parallel jurisdiction of both Central &
Provincial Governments)

 Everyprovince was given a Council of

Ministers - advice was binding on
Governors (except when he exercised his
“individual judgment”)
6
 Thedivision of financial resources designed to
strengthen provincial independence

 Sindh& Orissa separated from Bombay & Bihar

respectively – made an independent province

 NWFP invested with full powers of a province –

first time

 Provincial
franchise was further enlarged by
lowering property qualifications

7
 Bicameral legislature at Centre – members
to be elected indirectly by Provincial
Assemblies

 Direct elections for Council of State

 Communal / separate electorate to be

continued / allocation of seats

8
 Dyarchy was introduced at the Centre

 Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs

‘reserved’ for Governor General

 On these matters, the GG to act on advice of

his three advisors to be appointed by and
responsible to him

9
 The first Parliamentary Constitution of British India

 Itprovided for establishment of Legislative and

Executive organs of the state on British Style –
albeit at Provincial Level

 FederalSystem introduced – limited Provincial

autonomy

 Prominence given to British representatives and

controlled representative governments introduced

 It was a viceregal system for all practical purposes

10
11
 “Between 1937 and 1947 the Congress policies
were such as to make Pakistan inevitable.”
Discuss. (2004)

 Examine the nature of Congress rule in the

Provinces under the Government of India Act,
1935. What was its impact on the Muslim
Politics?(2003)

 Do you agree with Sir Reginald Coupland’s view

that Congress’s ‘totalitarian mentality’ and the
attempt to coerce the Muslim League failed and
the reaction of Jinnah and his followers
constituted an historic turning point in the
course of Indian politics? (1993)
12
 Around 2½ years (July 1937 to October 1939)
period extremely crucial in the history of
Hindu Muslim relations
 Congressruled in eight (8) out of nine (9)
provinces of India
 Thereigns of power came into the hands of
Congress / Hindu majority – this opened a
new chapter in more ways than one:
 First time ‘responsible’ govts. were installed in
provinces;
 First time Congress tasted the heady wine of power;
 First time Muslims experienced and realized what
this meant to them!
13
 Muslims were convinced that
‘administrative guarantees’ and
‘constitutional safeguards’ were not
effective for their protection in Hindu Raj

 L.S.Amery, Secretary of State for India,

believed that ‘it was the conduct of
Congress ministries that had driven the
Muslims to separation and to demand a
separate state’.

14
 Congress obtained greater success in 1937
elections as compared to AIML

 In
provinces with comfortable position /
majority Congress was rigid

 When Muslims asked for Coalition with AIML,

they desired ML to merge with Congress

15
 Provincial Governments / Political Parties:

 Purely Congress Government provinces: UP, CP,

Madras, Bombay, Bihar, NWFP – all resigned after
outbreak of WW-II (1939-45) in ---- 1939

 Other Congress Coalition provinces: Orissa, Assam

 Other provinces / parties: Bengal (AIML coalition),

The Punjab (Coalition not AIML), Sindh
(independents coalition)

16
17
Congress alienated Muslims and
adopted such policies directly
injurious to their social, political
and religious sensitivities.

18
 Congress sponsored abolition of ‘Zamindari Bill’
in UP but it opposed similar legislation in
Bengal (when sponsored by ML). Why?
 In UP over 25% landlords were Muslims and almost
all cultivators were Hindus but in Bengal majority of
landlords were Hindus and Muslim cultivators

 In Punjab legislation regarding Money lenders

(to fix maximum interest rates and to restrict
their operations) was introduced to benefit
cultivators (mostly Muslims).
 It was opposed by Congress. Hindu press labeled
the enactment as ‘Black Laws’.
19
 Muslims were alienated from power corridors. In
UP, newly recruited personnel were almost entirely
Hindus. ‘Merit principle’ to the detriment of
Muslims adopted.

 Band-e-Matram controversy further accentuated

when Congress insisted on beginning the day with
its recitation [the song was a war cry against
Muslims during Sanyasi rebellion in Bengal (1770). It
affected Muslim feelings. Published in a Bengali
novel Anandamutha by Bankim Chander Chatterji]
 Although Jawaharlal Nehru upheld the Muslim argument –
Congress brushed aside the opposition of Muslims

20
 Introduction of Hindi

 Urdu remained employed as court language since

1825 over greater part of Northern India

 Congress introduced highly artificial form

Sankskrit-Hindi – they even ignored Gandhi’s
compromise formula of Hindustani (blend of
Hindi and Urdu)

 For Muslims elimination of Urdu from courts was

a step towards annihilation of their cultural
inheritance

21
 Three colored flag:
Congress started hoisting its flag on all
official and non-official buildings. Muslims
did not feel it as their representative. They
reacted adversely.

 Prohibition on cow slaughter:

Criminal laws enacted to punish defiant.

22
 Liaison Campaign of Nehru: Pandit
Jawahirlal launched a Muslim mass contact
movement to converting Muslims into
Congressites. His attempts to aware Muslims
of the modern concepts of nationalism came
to nullity.

 Widdiya Mandir Education Scheme (aimed

at propagating Hinduism) introduced to
deviate Muslim students from their religion

23
 Discrimination towards Muslim Officers:
Few Muslims employed in higher positions of
public service were discriminated – their
tenures curtailed and influence minimized

 Dr. Kadre, ex-Premier of CP, conceded in a press

interview that his cabinet had opposed
confirmation of a District Officer only because he
was a Muslim!

24
 ThePirpur Report – AIML appointed 8 member
committee published in Nov. 1938 to highlight
Congress excesses in 7 provinces

 Fazl-ul-HaqReport (Dec. 1939) – a pamphlet on

Muslim sufferings e.g. forbidding azan, attacks
on mosques, etc. Described Congress Rule as an
attempt to create ‘Hindu Raj’

 Dayof Deliverance: Congress resigned from

ministries soon after the outbreak of WW-II in
Nov. 1939 – Muslims observed Day of Deliverance
25
 These narrow minded policies and immature
actions of Congress ministries rejected the idea
of co-existence and co-operation among the
various communities in India

 Muslims reaction to the end of Congress

Ministries (October 1939) was indicative of their
discomfort and ill feelings – Jinnah called upon
Muslims to observe a “Day of Deliverance” to
mark the end of tyranny and oppression.

 By then it was commonplace to connect congress

rule with emergence of the idea of Pakistan.

26
27
 Can the Lahore Resolution be termed as
the 'Magna Carta' of Pakistan? Take a
position and support your argument by
historical facts, If any. (2011)

 Analysethe significance of Lahore

Resolution in the history of freedom
movement. (2000)

28
 Beginningof a decisive phase when Muslims
vowed to part ways with Congress (which
advocated modern nationalism and
secularism) intending to keep them under
perpetual bondage.

 The demand of a separate homeland was

fulfillment of their aspirations to preserve
their religion, history, cultural heritage and
value system.

29
 Towards the end of 1930s (1938-40) ML
underwent a radical policy change towards
constitutional issues regarding provinces and
centre in the light of the experience of
Congress Rule, particularly in Hindu majority
provinces

 Jinnah was authorized by ML in its annual

session at Patna (Dec. 1938) to explore
suitable alternative to completely safeguard
the interests of Muslims and other minorities
in India.
30
 Now they did not talk of Indian Federation
but of ‘self determination’.

 Sofar Muslim separatism had been floating

but without a concrete shape. Iqbal had
floated an idea and continued discourse with
Jinnah. Rahmat Ali was consistent but less
equipped. ML formally made it a demand on
23-03-1940 and then effectively pursued it.

31
 AIMLdecided that Federal system under Act
of 1935 was not acceptable to them

 Norevised constitutional plan was acceptable

to Muslims unless framed with their consent

A separate homeland for Muslims demanded

 Protection minorities

32
 Theresolution was moved by Ch. Fazlul Haq,
Chief Minister Bengal and seconded by Ch.
Khaliquzzaman and others

 The resolution states:

“no constitutional plan would be workable in the
country or acceptable to the Muslims unless it is
designed on the following basic principle, namely,
that geographically contiguous units are demarcated
into regions which should be so constituted … that
areas in which the Muslims are numerically in a
majority, as in the north western and eastern zones
of India should be grouped to constitute
‘Independent States’ in which constituent units shall
be autonomous and sovereign”.

33
 Noconstitutional plan would be workable
acceptable to the Muslims
unless
 Geographicallycontiguous units are
demarcated into regions
 Areas in which the Muslims are numerically
in a majority, as in the north western and
eastern zones of India should be
 Grouped to constitute ‘Independent States’
 Constituent units shall be autonomous and
sovereign”.
34
 Clearlyexplained the basic concept of the
resolution

 The Muslims of India stood for the freedom

of India – but freedom should be for all not
only a section of people (referring Hindus)

 TheMuslims are taken for granted

mistakenly as a minority – they are not,
they are a ‘nation’ by any definition.

35
 Theproblem of India is not of inter-
communal character but of inter-national
nature – it must be traced as such.

 Hindus and Muslims are two different

civilizations, mainly based on conflicting
concepts, ideas and value systems. To yoke
them together under a single state must
lead to a growing discontent and final
destruction.

36
 Critics found it no solution to ‘minority’ problem:
 There arose an objection within Muslims circles and
without that creation of a Muslim state would not solve
minority problem as substantial minority would still be
living in India under Hindu domination.

 The resolution proposed effective and mandatory

safeguards in the constitution for protection of religious,
cultural, political, economic, administrative rights of
minorities in consultation with them [Hindu / Sikh
minorities in the Muslim state and Muslim minorities in
rest of the India]

 Protection Muslims of India on the basis of “mutual

retaliation” – Muslim state to respect and protect their
minorities for seeking similar treatment from Indian
state.
37
 Complete Separation demanded:

 The resolution authorized a ‘Working Committee’

to frame a scheme of constitution in accordance
with the basic principles of the resolution,
providing for final assumption of all powers such
as defence, external affairs, communication, and
such other matters as may be necessary.

38
 Theresolution did not mention word
‘Pakistan’ but the Muslim state was implied

 Theresolution mentioned establishment of

Muslim States which were to be sovereign
and autonomous

 Theword ‘states’ was replaced by ‘state’ in

1946 (Few Bengali ML leaders opposed it but
Jinnah did not pay heed to their arguments)

39
 Theresolution was a clarion call and a
morning star in the 200 years darkness /
slavery of Muslims of India

 The individuals / groups who were roaming

aimlessly in the desert of despondency /
hopelessness took form of a caravan and
started marching towards its destination
under the leadership of capable, brave and
upright leader – Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad
Ali Jinnah.
40
41
 Evaluate the policies of the Cripps
Mission. To what extent were these
policies favourable for the Muslims of the
sub-continent? (2000)

 Writenotes on any TWO of the following:

(b) Cripps Mission

42
 WW II (1939-45) was rapidly reaching India’s
boarders by 1940 – British position weak
 August 1940 Offer by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow, not
offering national govt., was rejected by Congress
 Gandhi launched Civil Disobedience Movement in
Oct. 1940 but ML did not participate
 By March 1942, Japanese advanced in Burma and
captured Singapore – Hence, Sir Stafford Cripps,
Leader of House of Commons sent with a draft
declaration of the British Government for discussion
with Indians to seek their cooperation in the war
 Cripps Proposals (published on 30-03-1942) were a
bare skeleton of the constitutional formula
requiring a lot of filling in
43
 Proposed Policies After the War:
 Elevation of India to the Dominion Status on cessation of
the hostilities

 Constitution of the Dominion to be drawn by a

Constituent Assembly - elected by members of Provincial
Assemblies [on proportional representation basis]

 Right of secession given to the provinces – condition:

60% votes of the Provincial Assembly were essential for
such a venture

 The non-acceding states (who do not accede to the

Dominion and want to secede) could form a Union
of their own provided they were geographically
contiguous
44
 Proposals for Immediate Future:

 A composite cabinet (Congress – League) within

the existing constitution [Government of India
Act, 1935]  Defence and External Affairs were
to remain with the British

 Efforts were to be made for the effective

representation of the Indian leaders in their
Councils, and that of Commonwealth and United
Nations.

45
 Condition:
The proposals were to be
accepted or rejected completely and no
amendments were possible.

46
47
 Highly
mischievous formula as Muslims were
expected to join in deliberations for making
a Constitution of United India, while in 1940
they had already demanded a separate
homeland

 Separateelectorate was not provided in the

process of elections

48
 The condition of at least 60% votes of a
Provincial Legislature for ‘non-accession’ was
virtually impossible in case of Bengal and
Punjab [Muslim majority in these Assemblies was
54% and 57% respectively]

A Union of non-acceding provinces was provided

but the condition of being contiguous to each
excluded the possibility of Pakistan comprising
of north western and eastern provinces.

 For these reasons ML rejected the proposals

49
 The main clause of ‘non-accession’ of provinces
opened the day for partition of India into at least
two and possibly many more separate political
entities – this could not be accepted by Congress.

 Congress considered it a death blow to the Indian

unity.

 The Intermediate arrangement of a composite

cabinet within the existing constitution (meaning
thereby control of defence by the British) was not
accepted by Congress – they wanted full control
over army of India.
50
 CONGRESS
 Congress launched “Quit India Movement”
(demanding withdrawal of British power from
India) to exert pressure on the British – non
violent movement on mass scale

 AIML:
 Jinnah’s response was rather political – he did
not believe in violence and disapproved the
Movement launched by the Congress – he
demanded the British to “Divide and Quit”

51
 Though ML rejected the Proposals but fact
remains that within two years of the Lahore
Resolution the British had officially and publicly
accepted the spirit of Muslim nationalism and
agreed to the political manifestation of Pakistan

 It gave Muslims / ML confidence and courage

 However, it made Muslims cautious about the

British designs as well – Cripps Proposals though
conceded to the concept of Muslim demand yet
attempted to deny the creation of Pakistan [60%
voting clause and condition of province to be
contiguous for a union]

52
 The British Government was busy in war and
Congress leaders were in jail (due to Quit
India Movement) the ML gained strength and
became undisputed representative political
party of Muslims – all other parties receded in
background

 Henceforth,Jinnah exercised unprecedented

sway over the Muslim masses

53
54
 Theproposals of “Cabinet Mission”
(1946) could defer the establishment of
Pakistan, if accepted by Muslim
League. Evaluate critically. (2008)

55
A device of British imperialism to reconcile
the irreconcilable and a design of double
standards

 Itwas in fact Machiavellian design to bury the

concept of Pakistan under the debris of Indian
nationalism and united India

 Exigency of the time: The landslide victory of

the ML in 1945-46 elections and growing rift
between Congress and ML made it crucial for
the British to find a solution to the political
deadlock between the two political forces
56
 The British Government sent a Special Mission
of Cabinet Ministers in order to make ground
for framing of the constitution. The mission
included:

 Lord Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India

 Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade

 A.V. Alexander, the First Lord of Admiralty

57
 THE PLAN – SALIENT FEATURES:
 The objective was to find a via media and to
secure agreement on a form of government
that could at once secure the essence of ML
demand and to maintain the unity of India.

 The Mission ruled out the possibility of a

sovereign Pakistan as envisaged by Muslims

 Failed to develop a ‘consensus formula’,

therefore, the Mission suggested:

58
59
Long Term:
CONSTITUTION MAKING

Immediate:
INTERIM GOVERNMENT

60
A loose Indian Union (Federation)

 Three tiers:

 Provinces (basic units / primary tiers);

 Sections / Group of Provinces (intermediate

position); and

 The Centre (All India Union)

61
 The Groups of Provinces:
 Group A: Hindu majority group – UP, CP, Bombay,
Madras, Bihar, Orissa (6)
 Group B: N-W Muslim majority group – Punjab, Sindh,
NWFP, Balochistan (4)
 Group C: N-E Muslim majority group – Bengal and
Assam (2)
 Loose Federation (with Executive and
Legislature) controlling:
 defence, communications and foreign affairs only

 Butactual distribution of powers to be

decided by a Constituent Assembly
62
 An interim govt. was to be established
at the centre

 CONDITION:

 Bothparts of the plan – the constitution

making and interim govt. – were to be
accepted or rejected as a whole
 Partial
acceptance of the plan was not
permitted!

63
 Initially,
AIML accepted the Plan and was
willing to sit in the interim government at
centre. WHY?

 Acceptance by ML bewildered Congress and

some AIML members as apparently the Plan
denied partition and aimed at Union Govt.
 AIML believed that the foundation of Pakistan was
inherent in the Plan!

 Intention was to convert two Muslim groups into

an independent state within a decade [critical]
64
 When AIML was not invited to form Interim
Govt. [the Congress had partially accepted and
partially rejected the Plan – objected the interim
govt. in which more seats were given to minorities
than their due share] AIML revoked its decision
through a resolution

 On16-08-1946 AIML provoked the Muslim

nation for ‘Direct Action’ to achieve
Pakistan

65
 Congressaccepted the first part of the
proposal regarding Union and Grouping while

 Refused participation in the interim govt.

Why?
 It objected to the distribution of seats in the
cabinet
 Congress 6, ML 5, Sikh League 1, Christians 1, Parsi

 Was it politically wise decision?

66
 Congress
accepted first part of Constitution
making with certain condition as:
 The Plan apparently ruled out creation of Pakistan

 Congress intended to turn Constituent Assembly

into a sovereign body (like British Parliament) and
sweep away grouping clause.

 Congress also assumed that the interpretation of

the Constitution would extend powers of the
Central Government in due course (as happened in
case of USA)

67
 Congress refused to join Interim Central
Government and conditionally accepted the
constitution making part
 Recall: the main condition of the Plan to accept
or reject it in toto

 The Mission, due to refusal of Congress to

join Interim Govt., ignored AIML offer
(despite ‘promise’ to go ahead) declared
failure of the project (of govt. formation)

68
 AIMLregistered its protest and declared
‘Direct Action’ on 16th August 1946

 Thisprompted Congress to again accept

the plan

 Thisprocess of shifting the tendencies

finally failed the Mission

 AbulKalam Azad, President of Congress,

categorically blamed Jawaharlal Nehru for
disrupting the Union of India by killing the
Cabinet Mission Plan
69
70
 In March 1947 Lord Wavell was recalled and
replaced by Lord Mountbatten

 By April 1947, Mountbatten concluded that

partition was inevitable

 Widespread Hindu-Muslim fighting, Congress-

AIML rift in the shaky Interim Central Govt.

 Hindu claims of sovereignty of Constituent

Assembly and Muslim insistence of Pakistan
necessitated ‘Surgical Operation’!

71
 Partition plan announced on 03-06-1947

 Though accepted by all parties but it is

paradoxical to state that it met aspirations
of both Hindus and Muslims

 Muslims / AIML were not displeased but they

did not like the division of Bengal and Punjab

72
73
Yellow Color =
Princely States
74
 Provincial Legislative Assemblies to meet in
two parts:
 Representing Muslim majority districts
 The rest of the province (Hindu / other minorities)

 Two
Assemblies (four parts) to decide
whether or not the province be partitioned:
 If simple majority of either part of a province
votes for partition the division of the province
would take place (highly partial decision!!)
 Each part would decide which Constituent
Assembly (existing or new) it would join
 Boundaries of the two parts be provisional
until decision of the Boundaries Commission
75
 If Punjab decides for partition

A referendum would be held in NWFP to

determine which Constituent Assembly it
would join!

 Why contingent upon Punjab?

 Why referendum in NWFP? Why not vote

from the Assembly?

76
 If Bengal decides for partition

A referendum would be held in Sylhet, a

predominantly Muslim district in Assam,
to determine whether it would join East
Bengal

77
 TheProvincial Assembly of Sindh to
decide which Constituent Assembly it
would prefer to join

 Likewise,means were also taken to

ascertain wishes of British Balochistan

78
 Agreements with the tribes were to be
negotiated by the appropriate successor
(India / Pakistan)
 Princely States

 The
position of Indian states would
remain unchanged.

79
 TheBritish gave up their suzerainty of the
princely states

 The states were free to choose whether to

join one of the newly independent countries
of India and Pakistan
 Most of the states then decided to accede to India
or to Pakistan
 Few states remained independent but later
annexed by India, such as Junagadh, Hyderabad,
Bhopal, etc.
 Later on, Pakistan included Khairpur, Bahawalpur,
and eight (8) other states in respective provinces

80
 Theviceroy, Lord Mountbatten, called
meeting of seven (7) leaders – Nehru,
Patel, Kriplani, Jinnah, Liaquat, Nishter
and Baldev Singh on 02-06-1947.

 Though reluctantly but all leaders accepted

the plan.

 August 15, 1947, was fixed as the date for

partition and independence of India

81
 CongressCommittee held a meeting and on
14th June accepted the plan
 However,
on 14-08-1947, All India Congress
Committee asserted over the partition that:
 “No human agency can change the fate /
geography of India”
 “When present passions (hinting towards Muslims)
subside India’s problems will be viewed in their
proper perspective and the fate of false doctrine
of Two-Nation Theory will be discarded by all”

 AbulKalam Azad termed it a short lived

partition
82
 IfCongress opposed the partition, why did it
accept the plan?

 Congress believed, in view of fast changing

circumstance and Hindu Muslim mistrust /
rift, that:
 If it did not agree to AIML demand (of Pakistan)
British Government was not likely to transfer
power according to their wishes

 The country could face serious political crisis.

83
 On10-06-1947 AIML Council met at New
Delhi and reluctantly agreed to the plan.
Why?

 As a whole AIML did not like the partition of

Bengal and Punjab

 But Jinnah was authorized to accept the plan

‘as a compromise’ – thus he gave assent in
writing

84
85
 To what extent this complaint of the Pakistanis is
genuine that Mountbatten had changed the original
Radcliffe Boundary Award. Is it true to say that the
Pakistani hypothesis is substantiated with the
releases of confidential documents of the British
Government. (1998)

 Write explanatory notes on any TWO of the

following:(b) Radcliffe Award (1997)

 ‘Radcliffe’s Boundary Award was an unjust,

incomprehensible and even perverse Award”.
Comment. (1995)

 Examine the Radcliffe Award and discuss its

repercussions on the Indo-Pak relations. (1990)
86
 Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a leading English Barrister,
made Chairman of Boundary Commission of
Punjab and Bengal, to demarcate boundaries
of the new states
 [Critical]

 Radcliffe had never visited India, let alone

served here, and did not posses even the basic
understanding of Indian demography or cultures

 He was given only three weeks to do the gigantic

task

87
 BothIndia and Pakistan had claims over
Calcutta (being economically important)

 Viceroy
gave it to India (stating that only 25%
Muslim population lived there)
 British Governor’s proposal to make it a free port
(to be used by both the Dominions) was rejected

 Radcliffe’sdecision to award Muslim majority

district of Murshidabad and a portion of tehsil
Nadia to India was in direct violation of
partition plan

88
 Muslimmajority districts of Gurdaspur* and
Batala were given to East Punjab

 Provided India a road link to Jammu and Kashmir –

created new political dilemma and a bone of
contention between the two states

 Similarly,
Muslim majority Tehsils Ajnala (in
Amritsar district), Nakodar, Julludur, Zira
and Ferozepore* also went to India

* Most important! How?

89
 These demarcations in favour of India gave
her access to Kashmir & control over
irrigation systems headworks, making
Pakistan dependent on India
 Kashmir Issue still alive since 1947!
 1948 Serious (India made) Water Crisis!
 1961 Indus Basin Treaty (thrust upon Pakistan
due to this unjust distribution)

 Ironically,
not a single Hindu majority area
was assigned to Pakistan

90
 ML/ Muslim contend that the award was
deliberately dishonest

 Large solidly Muslim areas were given to India

– e.g.
 Gurdaspur was given to India to give her access
to Kashmir

 Ferozpur was kept in India enabling her to

control Pakistani waters

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 The Mountbatten Plan although met the basic
demand of the Muslims / AIML for creation of
Pakistan but in the process extended favours to
India in all possible ways

 Thedivision of Muslim majority Bengal and

Punjab provinces was to oblige Congress

 Biaseddemarcations by Radcliffe gave India

strategic access to Jammu and Kashmir and
control over irrigation headworks in East Punjab

 Both these decisions put India in a very strong

position vis-à-vis Pakistan.
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