Correct Option: B

Early in 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet of Winston Churchill, was sent to make a definite offer to India on behalf of the British Government. The proposals gave a severe blow to Indian unity as the provinces could not opt to join the federation and this tantamounted to the acceptance of Pakistan in principle. Secondly, it was felt that the interests of the people of the Indian states were ignored as the Indian States would be represented by the representatives nominated by their rulers. No limit was set for the actual grant of Dominion Status. Since the very foundation of the British Empire seemed to be uncertain at that moment of World War, the longterm offer of Dominion Status was, as Gandhiji remarked, a ‘post-dated cheque on a failing bank.’