The Third June Plan:

Outline:

• Background
• Approval Of The 3rd June Plan
• Main Features Of The 3rd June Plan
• Implementation Of The Plan

Background:

Lord Mountbatten had been appointed as the last Viceroy of India who was to replace Lord Wavell. He arrived in India on 22nd March, 1947. He came charged with the task to make a peaceful transfer of power from British to Indian hands by June, 1948.

Approval Of The 3rd June Plan:

Lord Mountbatten soon began negotiation with the political leaders of India. After prolonged talks, Mountbatten worked out a partition plan by middle of April, 1947. Then on 2nd May 1947, he sent that plan to England for approval. The British Government approved the plan with certain amendments and sent it back to India on 10th May, 1947. This draft was not accepted by Nehru and other Congress leaders. Thus at the request of the Viceroy, Nehru and Memon prepared a revised partition plan which suited their interests. Mountbatten took that plan to England and at the threat of his resignation got it approved by the British Cabinet. He returned back to India on 31st May, 1947. The partition plan was made public on 3rd June, 1947 and is known as 3rd June Plan.

Main Features Of The 3rd June Plan:

Following were the main features of the plan.
i) The legislatures of Punjab and Bengal shall decide that whether the provinces should be divided or not.
ii) The Indian people shall make the constitution of India. This constitution shall not be applicable to those areas whose people reject it.
iii) Referendum shall be held in NWFP.
iv) The province of Baluchistan shall adopt a proper way to decide its future.
v) States shall be free and independent to join one or the other country. Both countries shall have their own Governor-General who will be the Executive Head of their respective countries.
vi) A boundary commission shall be set up to demarcate the boundaries of the two countries.
vii) Military assets shall be divided between the two countries after the partition.

Implementation Of The 3rd June Plan:

The 3rd June Plan was implemented as under.
i) Punjab Province:

The Legislative Assembly of Punjab decided by 91 to 27 votes to join the new constituent assembly. Thus, the Punjab province was partitioned and the West Punjab joined the new assembly.

ii) Bengal Province:

Bengal province decided by 106 to91 votes to join new constitutional assembly and the East Bengal joined Pakistan.

iii) Sindh Province:

Sindh Legislative Assembly decided by 30 to 20 votes in favour of Pakistan.

iv) NWFP Province:

In NWFP, a referendum was held, in which 2, 89, 24 votes were cast in favour of Pakistan and 2, 874 against Pakistan.

v) Baluchistan Province:

In Baluchistan, the members of Shahi Jirga and the Municipality of Quetta decided in favour of new constituent assembly.