In the winter of 1946-47, a Communist member told the Constituent Ass…

In the winter of 1946-47, a Communist member told the Constituent Assembly that there was no freedom in the country. On what main ground did he make this claim?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → The final power still lay in British hands, backed by the British army and their economic hold

Option (1) The final power still lay in British hands, backed by the British army and their economic hold — Correct. Somnath Lahiri argued that the Assembly worked <strong>under the shadow of British guns</strong> and the British financial grip. So <strong>final power was still British</strong>, and the future was not in Indian hands.

Option (2) The Interim Government had refused to accept the Objectives Resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru — Incorrect. The Interim Government did not reject the Objectives Resolution. Lahiri, in fact, wanted the Interim Government to join the people in fighting British imperialism.

Option (3) The princely states had refused to send any representatives to the Constituent Assembly — Incorrect. The princely states were a real problem of the time, but Lahiri did not rest his claim on them. His point was British control over the Assembly.

Option (4) The Muslim League members had walked out of the Assembly and boycotted its sessions — Incorrect. Lahiri spoke of Indians fighting among themselves, but he did not base his claim on a League walk-out. He blamed British power for the lack of freedom.

NCERT (2026-27): “2.1 The will of the people …
But the point is to see when and how are you going to apply that challenge. Well, Sir, the point is that the imposition is here right now. Not only has the British Plan made any future Constitution … dependent on a treaty satisfactory to the Britisher but it suggests that for every little difference you will have to run to the Federal Court or dance attendance there in England; or to call on the British Prime Minister Clement Attlee or someone else. Not only is it a fact that this Constituent Assembly, whatever plans we may be hatching, we are under the shadow of British guns, British Army, their economic and financial stranglehold – which means that the final power is still in the British hands and the question of power has not yet been finally decided, which means the future is not yet completely in our hands. Not only that, but the statements made by Attlee and others recently have made it clear that if need be, they will even threaten you with division entirely. This means, Sir, there is no freedom in this country. …”

In the winter of 1946-47, a Communist member told the Constituent Assembly that there was no freedom in the country. On what main ground did he make this claim?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → The final power still lay in British hands, backed by the British army and their economic hold