In August 1917 , Edwin Samuel Montagu , the Secretary of State for India , announced in the British Parliament about many steps to give more rights to Indians . In August 1917 , Edwin Montagu , the secretary of state for India , made the historic announcement in Parliament that the British policy for India was `` increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions with a view to the progressive realization of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire . ''