Question

The improvement in the central legislature was an important characteristic of the Indian Councils Act, 1909. Explain.

Answer 1

It introduced a system of communal representation for Muslims by accepting the concept of 'separate electorate'. Under this, the Muslim members were to be elected only by Muslim voters. Thus, the Act 'legalised communalism' and Lord Minto came to be known as the Father of Communal Electorate.