What do you think Nehru meant when he described the Government of India Act as 'a machine with strong brakes, but no engine?
Answers
Answer:
Government of India Act 1935
This Act divided powers between the centre and the provinces.
There were three lists which gave the subjects under each government.
A bicameral federal legislature would be established.
A federal court was established at Delhi for the resolution of disputes between provinces and also between the centre and the provinces.
The Indian Council was abolished.
This Act introduced direct elections in India for the first time.
The British Parliament retained its supremacy over the Indian legislatures both provincial and federal.
The Simon commission had promised ‘Dominion Status’ for India in 1929, but the Government of India Act 1935 did not confer it.
This act by providing separate electorates for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Europeans, Anglo Indians, Indian Christians etc. proved to be an instrument of disintegrating the unity fabric of the country.
Jawaharlal Nehru said that the Act of 1935 provided 'a machine with strong brakes but no engine'.