Explore the Communal Award of 1932, including its key provisions, the announcement, and the reactions from major figures like Gandhi, Congress, and the Muslim League. Understand its significance in shaping Indian politics and communal relations.
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Communal Award
Communal Award Announcement
Date: August 16, 1932
Overview: The Communal Award was announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. Based on the Indian Franchise Committee's findings, it established separate electorates and reserved seats for various minorities, including the depressed classes with seventy-eight reserved seats. This was seen by Congress leaders as a manifestation of the British policy of divide and rule.
Historical Context
Ambedkar’s Stance: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had previously argued for separate electorates for the depressed classes, distinct from the caste Hindus. The Bengal Depressed Classes Association also lobbied for separate electorates and adult franchise, but the Simon Commission rejected the separate electorate proposal.
Second Round Table Conference: Ambedkar raised the issue of separate electorates again. Gandhi, who considered himself the sole representative of India’s oppressed masses, rejected Ambedkar’s proposal. Gandhi also sought a compromise with Muslims to vote against separate electorates for depressed classes.
Main Provisions of the Communal Award
Separate Electorates: Separate electorates were established for Muslims, Europeans, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, depressed classes, women, and Marathas in Bombay.
Reserved Seats: The depressed classes were given separate electorates for a period of 20 years, with double votes—one for separate electorates and another for general electorates.
Legislative Seats: Seats in provincial legislatures were to be doubled and allocated on a communal basis.
Weightage for Minorities: Muslims, wherever in minority, were granted weightage.
Women’s Representation: 3% of seats were reserved for women in all provinces except NWFP.
Other Allocations: Allocation of seats for laborers, landlords, traders, and industrialists. Seven seats were allocated for Marathas in Bombay.
Congress Stand
Congress’s Position: The Congress opposed separate electorates but decided not to change the Communal Award without minority consent. They strongly disagreed with the Award but chose neither to accept nor reject it.
Opposition: Nationalists opposed the attempt to separate depressed classes from Hindus as distinct political entities.
Gandhi’s Response
Gandhi’s View: Gandhi saw the Communal Award as an attack on Indian unity and harmful to both Hinduism and depressed classes. He argued it would perpetuate untouchability and undermine efforts to abolish it.
Proposals: Gandhi demanded the depressed classes be elected through a joint electorate and universal franchise, while agreeing to a larger number of reserved seats.
Indefinite Fast: Gandhi began an indefinite fast on September 20, 1932, to press his demands. This led to a compromise, the Poona Pact, negotiated by leaders including B.R. Ambedkar, M.C. Rajah, and Madan Mohan Malaviya.
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