Prepared By:

Rizwan Javed

3rd June Plan & Independence Act

Q: What was the Independence Act? [4]

Ans: On 15 July 1947 the Indian Independence Act was passed. The Act declared that from 15th August

British India would be partitioned into two dominion states – India and Pakistan. Each state would have

absolute liberty to pass any law it wished. The Government of India Act would be the provisional

constitution until states devised their own. So under the banner of these conditions on 14th August a

new country came into being – Pakistan. On 15 august India declared its independence from British rule.

Q: Discuss the main features of the 3rd June Plan? [10]

Ans: On 3 June 1947 the British announced the plan which was a summary of what was going to happen

after British had left India. In February 1947 Attlee announced that the British would leave India no later

than June 1948. A new viceroy, Viscount Mountbatten was sent to work out a plan for the transfer of

power. Mountbatten soon realized the need for speedy settlement. In March 1947 riots and killings

were observed and were spreading. He arrived in March 1947 and meets different political leaders and

was convinced that partition was inevitable. Few people wanted India partitioned, but Jinnah was

adamant that Muslims must have their own state. On 3 June 1947 plan was announced.

According to the plan; two states should be set up, India and Pakistan. The interim constitution of both

would be 1935 govt. of India Act; besides, each state was to have dominion status and have an executive

responsible to a constituent assembly.

Muslims majority provinces would vote either to stay in India or join Pakistan. In Sindh and Balochistan

the provincial legislatures voted to join Pakistan. Bengal and Punjab had two decisions to make. Firstly

on whether to join Pakistan if so they had to decide whether the provinces should be partitioned into

Muslims and non-Muslims areas. Both decided that they should join Pakistan, but that their Muslim-

minority areas should stay in India. The NWFP also joined Pakistan after holding a referendum. The

Muslim minority districts of Sythlet in Assam joined eastern wing of Pakistan.

It was also stated that a boundary commission shall be set up after partition which will demarcate the

boundaries of two countries; moreover, both countries shall have their own GG who will be executive

heads of their respective countries. Military assets shall be divided amongst two countries after

partition.

Prepared By:

Rizwan Javed

In a press conference held a day later it was announced. Mountbatten said that final transfer of power

will be on 15 August 1947, both Muslims and Hindus agreed to this date as a date on which British

would leave India. Plan was accepted by both Muslims and Hindus.