Poona Pact 1932 UPSC

Poona Pact 1932

The Poona Pact was an agreement reached in India in 1932 to resolve the conflict between the Dalits and other Hindu communities over electoral representation....

Poona Pact 1932 date

The pact was finalized and signed on September 24, 1932....

History of Poona Pact 1932

The British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, on 16th August 1932 announced the Communal Award, which provided for separate electorates for “Depressed Classes”, which mostly included the Muslims, the Europeans, the Sikhs, the Anglo-Indians, and also the Indian-based Christians....

Significance of Poona Pact 1932

Some of the most significant importance of the Poona Pact is as mentioned below:...

Poona Pact 1932 was signed between

Signed between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, representing the Dalits, and Mahatma Gandhi, representing the caste Hindu leaders....

Poona Pact 1932 UPSC

Important for UPSC exams as it marks a significant event in the Indian freedom struggle, highlighting the socio-political dynamics of the time. Demonstrates Gandhi’s commitment to social justice and Ambedkar’s leadership in advocating for Dalit rights....

Poona Pact 1932 class 10

A crucial part of the Indian history curriculum, illustrating the fight against untouchability and caste discrimination. Shows the efforts to achieve a unified nationalist movement in India....

Poona Pact 1932 PDF

Documents detailing the agreement are available in PDF format for educational and research purposes. Provides insight into the negotiations and compromises made for Dalit representation....

Communal Award Poona Pact 1932

The Communal Award was a British proposal to grant separate electorates to various communities, including Dalits. The Poona Pact was a response to this, where Gandhi’s fast-unto-death against separate electorates led to negotiations and the eventual signing of the pact....

Important Facts of Poona Pact

B.R. Ambedkar was in favor of a separate electorate for Depressed Classes and was laid down by him in the First Round Table Conference and he represented the Depressed Classes. Gandhiji was against the idea and undertook a fast while in jail in Poona when PM Macdonald was about to grant communal awards. The public pressure to end the fast, Ambedkar and Gandhiji made a Poona Pact which laid down reserved seats for the depressed classes in provincial legislatures. Gandhiji was against the idea since he did not want untouchables to be outside the folds of Hinduism. The number of seats reserved was based on the total strength of the Provincial councils. Like 30 for Madras, 8 for Punjab, 14 for Bombay, and so forth. A total of 147 seats were reserved. For each of the seats, members of depressed classes who could vote formed an electoral college. This Electoral College would elect a panel of four candidates. Then these 4 candidates will stand in the election along with general candidates where the general electorate would vote. In Central Legislature, 19 percent of seats would be reserved for Depressed classes and this system would continue for ten years unless mutual agreement for termination....

Gandhi And Ambedkar – Difference in Approach

B.R.Ambedkar Mahatma Gandhi 1. Ambedkar was of the view that favored annihilation of the caste system as it was beyond reform. 1.  Gandhiji was not in support of the caste system and was in favor of bringing behavioral change in society in relation to the caste system. 2. Ambedkar viewed caste as a political issue and wanted a political  solution for the upliftment of depressed classes. 2. Gandhi viewed the caste issue as a social issue and wanted to reform the hearts and minds of the people. 3. Ambedkar was in favor of a rights-based approach. 3. Gandhiji’s approach was based on faith and spirituality....

Terms of Poona Pact

Seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are reserved in the provincial assembly. The number of seats set aside for the underprivileged classes in provincial legislatures increased from 71 to 147, and in the national assembly, they now make up 18% of the total. The electoral college will be made up of all Depressed Classes members who are registered on the general electoral roll of a constituency. This electoral college will elect a panel of four Depressed Classes candidates for each of these reserved seats using the single vote method. These classes were represented using the criteria of mixed electorates and reserved seats. Until mutually agreed upon otherwise, the representation of these classes through reservations shall remain in accordance with clauses 1 and 4. The procedure for selecting candidates for the Central and Provincial Legislatures will cease in ten years unless both parties agree to an amicable termination. The Lothian Committee report should specify the franchise for these classes in the Central and Provincial Legislatures. These classes ought to be fairly represented across all provinces. The Pact further mandated that efforts be made to guarantee that the group is fairly represented and that Depressed Classes be treated equitably in public services. For the purpose of providing educational facilities to members of the Depressed Classes, a suitable amount must be set aside from each province’s educational grant....

Additional Notes for UPSC

Different perspectives have resulted in different responses on the issue of representation for the depressed classes:...

Conclusion

The Poona Pact was a turning moment in India’s political and constitutional history. The freedom movement and negotiations between Indians and the British were forever marred by tensions between the Hindus and the Depressed Classes that were brought to light by this pact. The Pact substantially strengthened and expanded the argument that the Depressed Classes constituted a political minority whose interests could not be disregarded while creating India’s future constitution....

Poona Pact 1932 – FAQs

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