The Communal Award was a decision made by the British government in 1932. It proposed separate electorates for different religious communities in India, including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and others. This decision aimed to ensure fair representation for all religious groups in India’s political system. The Poona Pact was a response to the Communal Award. It was an agreement reached between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1932. Under this pact, reserved seats for the “Depressed Classes” (now known as Scheduled Castes) were maintained, but they were no longer based solely on separate electorates. Instead, they would be elected by general voters, but only members of the Depressed Classes could stand for these reserved seats.
Communal Award
- The Communal Award, announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in August 1932, aimed to give Untouchables (now called Scheduled Castes) a fixed number of seats in elections and the right to vote separately from others. This meant that only Untouchables could vote for these reserved seats, but they could also vote in the general elections.
- The goal of the Communal Award was to meet the demands of various communities, like Muslims, by providing separate representation. However, Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed it, seeing it as a divisive move that would divide Indian society along religious lines.
- In protest, Gandhi went on a hunger strike while in Yervada Jail. This attracted widespread attention and led to discussions among leaders like Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, and C. Rajagopalachari. They were worried about Gandhi’s health and tried to find a solution.
- Besides the separate electorates, the Communal Award also reserved seats for women in most states, except for the North West Frontier Province.
- Overall, the Communal Award was an important change in Indian politics, attempting to address different communities’ needs. However, it also caused tensions between communities and sparked strong reactions from leaders, especially Mahatma Gandhi.
Poona Pact
The Poona Pact, signed in September 1932, was a deal made between two groups of Hindus to solve the problem of separate voting systems for the Depressed Classes (now called Scheduled Castes) in India. The goal was to find a compromise between what Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a leader representing the Depressed Classes, wanted and the worries of Mahatma Gandhi and other Hindu leaders.
Key Points
- Joint Electorate: All Hindus, including the Depressed Classes, would vote together in the same elections.
- Reserved Seats: The number of reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in the Provincial Legislature increased from 78 to 148.
- Representation in Local Bodies: The Depressed Classes would have adequate representation in local governing bodies.
- Central Legislature: The Poona Pact recommended allocating 18% of seats in the Central Legislature to the Depressed Classes.
- Termination of Reserved Seats: The system of reserved seats and primary elections for the Depressed Classes would be reviewed and ended after 10 years.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar accepted the terms of the Poona Pact after negotiations. Although it increased the number of reserved seats for the Depressed Classes, it also eliminated the provision of double voting rights granted under the Communal Award, where they could vote separately and alongside other Hindus.
- The Poona Pact is significant as it compromised between different factions within the Hindu community. It aimed to give political representation to the Depressed Classes while integrating them into the broader Hindu community. The pact amended the Communal Award and prevented the Depressed Classes from being separated from the Hindu community, as intended by the British government.
In conclusion, the Communal Award and the Poona Pact were both significant milestones in India’s political history, particularly regarding the representation of marginalized communities, such as the Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes). The Communal Award, with its provision for separate electorates, aimed to address the representation of various religious and social groups, but it also sparked controversy and opposition, particularly from Mahatma Gandhi, who saw it as divisive.
In response, the Poona Pact emerged as a compromise solution, promoting the idea of a joint electorate while also increasing reserved seats for the Depressed Classes. Signed between different Hindu factions, it aimed to provide political representation to the Depressed Classes while maintaining their integration within the broader Hindu community. The Poona Pact played a crucial role in shaping India’s political landscape, emphasizing inclusivity and integration while addressing the concerns of different stakeholders. It demonstrated the ability of Indian leaders to negotiate and find common ground, even amidst complex and contentious issues. Overall, both the Communal Award and the Poona Pact underscored the importance of inclusive representation and the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality in India’s journey towards nationhood.
Also Read: Gandhi-Irwin Pact