Morley-Minto Reforms

Background of the Morley-Minto Reforms

Despite Queen Victoria’s proclamation of equal treatment for Indians, only a limited number were afforded such opportunities due to the British authorities’ reluctance to accept them as equal partners....

Features of the Morley-Minto Reforms

Some important features are as follows:...

Morley-Minto Reforms Criticism

The Congress leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the Morley-Minto reforms as they called for a responsible government, while the reforms primarily aimed at enhancing native participation in legislatures. The primary flaw in the reform was the implementation of separate electorates for Muslims. This led to a breakdown in Hindu-Muslim unity and played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the country’s partition. Muslims were granted a separate electorate, coupled with a disproportionate reservation of a significant number of seats compared to their population. Indian nationalists considered it the British policy of ‘divide and rule’. The British aimed to divide the Nationalist ranks and turn moderates and Muslims against the nationalism tide....

Importance of Morley-Minto Reforms

Though some Indians had previously been assigned to legislative councils, it essentially allowed the election of Indians to the various legislative councils in India for the first time....

Conclusion

While there was some improvement in Indian participation in legislative councils, the act has significant flaws, notably communal representation that persists today. The introduction of separate electorates, while providing relief to Muslims, weakened the Indian National Movement, leading to the eventual division of the country along communal lines. Additionally, the Morley-Minto Reforms fell short in establishing a system of self-government....

FAQs on Morley-Minto Reforms

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