Question

why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates ?

Answer 1

Nationalist Congress saw this movement as the seed of divide and rule which can makes the national movement weak. By this the British can rule over India as long they wish to rule. So, political leaders differed sharply over the question of separate electorates because of differences in opinion. While those supporting the cause of minorities and the dalits believed that only political empowerment would resolve their social backwardness, others like Gandhi ji thought that separate electorates would further slow down the process of their integration into society.

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Answer 2

Political leaders held different opinions over the question of separate electorates because of the differences in their opinion. They all believed in the different outcomes of separate electorates. The leaders supporting the minorities and the Dalits believed that it was only political empowerment that would abolish social backwardness, while others like Gandhiji thought that separate electorates would slow down the process of integration.