See ee ee en eee eee
take dire i it
Bitte ses on and withdrew its approval
Cabinet ay erm and long-term plan of the
Mae ission. Congress immediately, on
lim League's decision of withdrawing its
approval of the Cabinet Mission plan,
announced its acceptance to join the Interim
Government. The Viceroy gave invitation to
Muslim League to join the Government
which the Muslim League accepted in the
larger interest of Muslims of India.
JUNE 3 PLAN
Prime Minister Attlee declared in
Parliament that India would be freed by 20th
February, 1948. He said in the House of
Commons, ‘it is a mission, it is a mission of
fulfilment.”
Lord Mounbatten had been appointed
as the last Viceroy of India who was to
replace Lord Wavell. Lord Mountbatten
arrived in India on March 22, 1947. He came
charged with the mission to make a peaceful
transfer of power from British to Indians by
June 1948.
Lord Mountbatten was told by the
Prime Minister Attlee to hand over the power
to the Indians by 1st June, 1948. The Prime
Minister in a letter directed the Viceroy to do
his utmost to keep the unity of India. The
Prime Minister wrote that it was the definite
objective of His Majesty's Government to
obtain a unitary Government for British India
in accordance with the Cabinet Mission
Plan.
Upon his arrival in India, Lord
Mountbatten had to face many problems
regarding peaceful transfer of power. Muslim
League was demanding partition of India
and was not prepared to accept anything
less of Pakistan. On the other hand
Congress was pressing hard for the transfer
of power to Hindu dominated Constituent
Assembly. Another set of problem was
created by the choice of June 1948, as the
effective date for the transfer of power. The
fifteen months were too short period for the
innumerable political, constitutional and
administrative decisions involved.
Lord Mountbatten soon began
negotiations with the political leaders g
India. Having successfully completed hig
task Mountbatten entered into discussions
with Indian leaders on the constitutiong
problems.
‘After prolonged talks, Mountbatten
had worked out a partition plan by the
middle of April 1947. It was felt if the
partition came it should be the responsibilty
of the Indians.
The Working Committee of Congress
met on May 1, 1947 and gave its
acceptance of the partition plan. Muslim
League also gave its approval to the final
draft of the partition plan.
Mountbatten went to England to seek
the approval of the British Government
which was duly accorded. The plan was
issued on June 3, 1947 and is known as
June 3 Plan. The main characteristics of the
plan are as follows:-~
1. The Legislatures of Punjab and
Bengal shall decide — whether
the provinces should be divided or
not.
2. The Indian people shall_make the
Constitution of India. This Constitution
shall not be applicable to those areas
whose people reject it.
3. Referendum shall be held in N.W.F-P.
4. Province of Balochistan shall adopt
appropriate way to decide its future.
5. States shall be free and independent
to join one or the other country.
6. A Boundary Commission shall be
set up after partition which will
demarcate the boundaries of the two
countries.
7. Both countries shall have their own
Governor-Generals who will be the
Executive Heads of their respecliv®
countries.
8 Military assets shall be divided
amongst two countries after partition.