Q. With reference to the Communal Award, consider the following statements:
1. It was introduced on the recommendations of Simon Commission.
2. It introduced separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, and AngloIndians for the first time.
3. It led to the signing of Poona Pact which gave reserved seats to the depressed classes.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer. The Communal Award, also known as the MacDonald Award, was a scheme for representation of the minorities. It was announced in August 1932 by Ramsay MacDonald, the British Prime Minister.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Communal Award was based on the findings of the Indian Franchise Committee (also called the Lothian Committee) and not on the recommendation of Simon Commission. Simon Commission rejected the proposal of a separate electorate for the depressed classes; however, it retained the concept of reserving seats.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Indian Councils Act 1909 established a distinct electorate for Muslims, which was later expanded to include Sikhs, Indian Christians, AngloIndians, and Europeans by the Government of India Act 1919 (not by Communal Award). The Communal Award not only continued separate electorates for the Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans but also extended it to the depressed classes (Scheduled Castes).
Statement 3 is correct. Mahatma Gandhi was distressed over this extension of the principle of communal representation to the depressed classes and undertook fast unto death in Yerawada Jail (Poona) to get the award modified. This led to an agreement between the leaders of the Congress and the depressed classes which is known as Poona Pact. The pact retained the Hindu joint electorate and gave reserved seats to the depressed classes.
