Question

Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of seperate electorate for Muslims and dalits

Answer 1

Answer:

Political leader differed sharply over the queation of seperate electorates because ;

1. The nationalist congress leaders saw in the movement the seeds of 'Divide and Rule ', which weaken the national movement . This policy of the british would benefit them to maintain their rule over India as long as they wished .

2. The Muslim leaders pretended that their intrest could only be protected in a Muslim state and in a Hindu majority state they would only be at the mercy of the Hindus .

3. BR Ambedkar was in favor of seperate electorates because he feared that in a combined electorates , the lower castes or dalits would be under the dominance of tje upper caste . Gandhiji brought him round to his views by a tactful move by signing the 'Poona Pact ' with him which provided fixed and reserved seats for depressed lower classes .

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.