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Simla conference

2021 APR 3

Preliminary   > Modern Indian History   >   Significant events   >   Miscellaneous

About Simla conference:

  • The Simla Conference 1945 was a meeting between the Viceroy of India Lord Wavell and the major political leaders of British India at Simla.
  • It was convened to agree on and approve the Wavell Plan for Indian self-government.
  • Talks, however, stalled on the issue of selection of Muslim representatives.
  • Seeking to assert itself and its claim to be the sole representative of Indian Muslims, the All-India Muslim League refused to back any plan in which the Indian National Congress, the dominant party in the talks, appointed Muslim representatives.
  • This scuttled the conference, and perhaps the last viable opportunity for a united, independent India.

Wavell plan:

  • These were set of proposals intended to ease power transfer in India without partition.
  • According to the plan, Viceroy’s Executive Council was to have all Indian members except the Viceroy himself and the Commander-in-Chief.
  • The council was to have a ‘balanced representation’ of all Indians including ‘caste-Hindus’, Muslims, Depressed Classes, Sikhs, etc. Muslims were given 6 out of 14 members.
  • The Viceroy/Governor-General would still have the power of veto but its use would be minimal.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding “Shimla Conference”:
1.The conference was held before the launch of  Quit India movement.
2.Both Muslim league and Congress agreed to the Wavell plan at the conference.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question