Cut me in two

Two months after Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the Labour Party came into power in Britain and clement Attlee became the prime Minister. After the defeat of Japan a few months later, the British Government announced that they expected to grant self-government to India as soon as her internal problems could be solved.

This was a victory for India. It was a victory for non-violence. Britain, defeated by the peaceful revolution, could not hold on to India any longer. Britain agreed to a planned withdrawal from India, without bitterness and in friendship.

All through his life Gandhi had worked for unity between the Hindus and the Muslims. But he had not had much success. There was a large section of nationalist Muslims in the Congress, but the heads of the Muslim League were drifting further and further away.

Gandhi was not the man to give up hope, however, and he pursued his efforts to bring about a settlement. On the other hand, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim league, was hostile to the idea of unity. HE demanded a separate Muslim State before freedom was given to India.

The Viceroy invited all the leaders to Simla (now shimla) and tried to find a solution and bring about Hindu-Muslim unity. However, Jinnah insisted on having a separate State, to be called Pakistan.

Britain announced an election in India which was held. The Congress won most of the non-Muslim seats and the Muslim League won most of the Muslim seats. The deadlock continued.

“We can settle the problem in ten minutes if Mr. Gandhi agrees to the creation of Pakistan,” said Jinnah.

“Cut me in two.” Cried Gandhi, but do not cut India in two.”

He spoke to deaf ears. In February 1946 the British government sent a Cabinet Mission to India. It consisted of Lord Patrick Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander. The task of the Cabinet Mission was to study the situation and suggest what should be done. After careful consideration the Cabinet Mission issued a statement proposing the withdrawal of British authority from India. They had the idea of a united India.