Question

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

Answer 1

Political leader differed sharply over the question of separate electorates because

(i) 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.

(ii) The Muslim leaders pretended that their interest could only be protected in a Muslim State, and in a Hindu majority state they would be at the mercy of the Hindus.

(iii) BR Ambedkar, the leader of the depressed classes, was in favour of separate electorates, because he feared that in a combined electorate, the lower castes would be under the dominance of the upper castes. Gandhiji brought him round to his views by a tactful move by signing a‘Poona Pact’ with him which provided fixed and reserved seats for the depressed classes.

Answer 2

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• $\leadsto$Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the Dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for Dalits.

• $\leadsto$When the British government conceded Ambedkar’s demand, Gandhiji began a fast unto death. He believed that separate electorates for Dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society.

• $\leadsto$Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji’s position and the result was the Poona Pact of September 1932.

• $\leadsto$Muhammad Ali Jinnah, one of the leaders of the Muslim League, was willing to give up the demand for separate electorates if Muslims were assured reserved seats in the Central Assembly and representation in proportion to population in the Muslim-dominated provinces (Bengal and Punjab).

• $\leadsto$Negotiations over the question of representation continued but all hope of resolving the issue at the All Parties Conference in 1928 disappeared when M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed efforts at compromise.