Communal Award - Revision history

Proctocure: updated page

2025-08-26T09:23:04Z

updated page

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:53, 26 August 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{Short description\|1932 statement on minority electorates in British India}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2019}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2019}}
	The '''Communal Award''' was created by ~~the~~ [[British ~~prime minister~~]] [[Ramsay MacDonald]] on 16 August 1932. Also known as the MacDonald Award, it was announced after the [[Round Table Conference]] (~~1930–32~~) and extended the [[separate electorate]] to ~~depressed~~ Classes (now known as the [[Scheduled ~~Caste~~]]) and other minorities.<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas ~~Metcalf (~~2006~~). ''~~A Concise History of Modern India~~'' (~~2nd ~~ed.).~~ Cambridge University Press~~. p.~~ 194</ref> The separate electorate ~~was~~ introduced in [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] for Muslims<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas ~~Metcalf (~~2006~~). ''~~A Concise History of Modern India~~'' (~~2nd ~~ed.).~~ Cambridge University Press~~. p. 160~~-~~161~~</ref> and extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans by [[Government of India Act 1919]].<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act-1443012001-1] 'Government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act'</ref>		{{Confusing\|date=April 2022\|reason=was this a law or a statement of some sort? Explain more fully what the separate electorate was and how it was changed}}
			{{refimprove\|date=April 2025}}
			The '''Communal Award''' was created by [[British Prime Minister]] [[Ramsay MacDonald]] on 16 August 1932. Also known as the MacDonald Award, it was announced after the [[Round Table Conference]] (1930–1932) and extended the [[separate electorate]] to the Depressed Classes (now known as the [[Scheduled Castes]]) and other minorities.<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Metcalf \|first1=Barbara \|last2=Metcalf \|first2=Thomas \|year=2006 \|title=A Concise History of Modern India \|edition=2nd \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|page=194 \|isbn=978-0-521-86362-9}}</ref> The separate electorate had been introduced by the [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] for the Muslims<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Metcalf \|first1=Barbara \|last2=Metcalf \|first2=Thomas \|year=2006 \|title=A Concise History of Modern India \|edition=2nd \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|pages=160–161 \|isbn=978-0-521-86362-9}}</ref> and extended to the Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans by the [[Government of India Act 1919]].<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act-1443012001-1] 'Government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act'</ref>

	The separate electorate was now available to the ~~[[Forward Caste]],~~ [[Muslims~~]], [[Buddhists~~]], [[Sikhs]], [[Indian Christians]], [[Anglo-Indians]], [[Europeans]] and Depressed Classes (now known as the Scheduled ~~Caste~~) etc. The principle of weightage was also applied.<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Nugent \|first=Helen M. \|date=1979 \|title=The communal award: The process of ~~decision‐making~~ \|journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies \|volume=2 \|issue=~~1-2~~ \|pages=112–129 \|doi=10.1080/00856407908722988}}</ref> Sir Samuel Hoare asked for clarification of the ninth and last paragraph ~~that~~ applied directly to the Depressed Classes. The ~~Award~~ favoured the minorities over the Hindus ~~causing~~ consternation and ~~eliciting~~ anger from Gandhi.<ref>''The Bombay Chronicle,'' 18 August 1932, in Dhananjay Keer, ''Dr.Ambedkar: Life and Mission'' (Popular Prakashan, 1971), p.204.</ref> From the fastness of Yervada Jail he made contact with the Cabinet in London declaring in September 1932 an open fast until death.		The separate electorate was now available to the [[Muslims]], [[Sikhs]], [[Christianity in India\|Indian Christians]], [[Anglo-Indians]], [[Europeans]] and Depressed Classes (now known as the Scheduled Castes) etc. The principle of weightage was also applied.<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Nugent \|first=Helen M. \|date=1979 \|title=The communal award: The process of decision-making \|journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies \|volume=2 \|issue=1–2 \|pages=112–129 \|doi=10.1080/00856407908722988}}</ref> Sir [[Samuel Hoare, 1st Viscount Templewood\|Samuel Hoare]] asked for clarification of the ninth and last paragraph, which applied directly to the Depressed Classes. The award favoured the minorities over the Hindus, which caused consternation and elicited anger from [[Mahatma Gandhi]].<ref>''The Bombay Chronicle,'' 18 August 1932, in Dhananjay Keer, ''Dr. Ambedkar: Life and Mission'' (Popular Prakashan, 1971), p.204.</ref> From the fastness of Yervada Jail he made contact with the Cabinet in London declaring in September 1932 an open fast until death.

	The reason behind introduction of Communal Award was that ~~Ramsay~~ MacDonald considered himself as 'a friend of the Indians' and thus wanted to resolve the issues in India. The Communal Award was announced after the failure of the Second of the [[Round Table Conferences (India)]]~~. The Award~~ attracted severe criticism from ~~[[Mahatma~~ Gandhi]].		The reason behind introduction of Communal Award was that MacDonald considered himself as 'a friend of the Indians' and thus wanted to resolve the issues in India. The Communal Award was announced after the failure of the Second of the [[Round Table Conferences (India)]] and attracted severe criticism from Gandhi.

	The Award was controversial as it was ~~believed~~ by ~~some~~ to ~~have been brought~~ in ~~by the British to create social divide among the Hindus.~~ Gandhi feared that it would disintegrate Hindu society. However, the Communal Award was supported by many among ~~the~~ [[minority group\|minority communities]], most notably ~~the Father of Indian Constitution, Dr.~~ [[B. R. Ambedkar]]. According to Ambedkar, Gandhi was ready to award separate electorates to Muslims and Sikhs~~. But Gandhi~~ was reluctant to give separate electorates to ~~scheduled castes~~. He ~~was afraid of~~ division ~~inside~~ Congress and Hindu society ~~due to separate scheduled caste representations. But Ambedkar insisted for~~ separate ~~electorate for scheduled caste~~.		The Award was controversial as it was perceived by many Hindus to be aimed at causing social divides in India, and Gandhi feared that it would disintegrate Hindu society. However, the Communal Award was supported by many among India's [[minority group\|minority communities]], most notably [[B. R. Ambedkar]], who insisted on separate electorates for Scheduled Castes. According to Ambedkar, Gandhi was ready to award separate electorates to Muslims and Sikhs but was reluctant to give separate electorates to the Scheduled Castes. He feared division within both Congress and Hindu society from the Scheduled Castes having separate representation.

	[[Akali Dal]], the representative body of the Sikhs, was also highly critical of the Award since only 19% was reserved to the Sikhs in [[Punjab]], as opposed to ~~the~~ 51% ~~reservation~~ for the Muslims and 30% for the Hindus.<ref name="Engineer2006">{{cite book\|author=Asgharali Engineer\|title=They too fought for India's freedom: the role of minorities\|year=2006\|publisher=Hope India Publications\|isbn=978-81-7871-091-4\|page=177~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|author=Bipan Chandra\|title=India's Struggle for Independence\|year=1989\|publisher=Penguin India\|isbn=978-0-140-10781-4\|page=290~~}}</ref> Gandhi concurred with the revival of ''[[Swaraj]]'' which became policy in May 1934 on ratification by the All-India Congress Committee. The ~~Government~~ reluctantly agreed to lift the ban on Congress~~. In~~ return ~~they~~ received anxious support from the [[All-India ~~Muslim League\|~~Muslim League]] still smarting ~~from~~ Gandhi's majoritarianism. After lengthy negotiations, Gandhi reached an agreement with Ambedkar to have a single Hindu electorate, ~~with scheduled castes having~~ seats ~~reserved within it~~. The [[Poona Pact]] rejected any further advancement for the ~~Depressed, yet~~ satisfied electorates ~~for other religions~~ like Muslims~~, Buddhists~~, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans ~~that remained~~ separate.		The [[Akali Dal]], the representative body of the Sikhs, was also highly critical of the Award since only 19% was reserved to the Sikhs in [[Punjab]], as opposed to 51% for the Muslims and 30% for the Hindus.<ref name="Engineer2006">{{cite book\|author=Asgharali Engineer\|title=They too fought for India's freedom: the role of minorities\|year=2006\|publisher=Hope India Publications\|isbn=978-81-7871-091-4\|page=177}}</ref> Gandhi concurred with the revival of ''[[Swaraj]]'', which became policy in May 1934 on ratification by the All-India Congress Committee. The government reluctantly agreed to lift the ban on Congress and in return received anxious support from the [[All-India Muslim League]], which was still smarting over Gandhi's [[majoritarianism]]. After lengthy negotiations, Gandhi reached an agreement with Ambedkar to have a single Hindu electorate, but there would be reserved seats for Scheduled Castes. The [[Poona Pact]] rejected any further advancement for the [[Dalit\|Untouchables]] but satisfied the other electorates like Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans since they would remain separate.

	During the parliamentary debates on the Government of India ~~bill~~ the Untouchables gained a notable champion in a Conservative MP, ~~A.V.~~Goodman. He stressed their poverty should be ameliorated by greater representation in the provincial assemblies. ~~But while~~ Muslim League remained ambivalent to the Communal Award its ratification by the Central Assembly remained a priority.		During the parliamentary debates on the Government of India Act, the Untouchables gained a notable champion in a [[British Conservative\|Conservative]] MP, [[Albert Goodman]]. He stressed that their poverty should be ameliorated by greater representation in the provincial assemblies. However, the Muslim League remained ambivalent to the Communal Award, and its ratification by the Central Assembly remained a priority.

	==References==		==References==

117.210.151.61: The fast was started in sep '32, not '33.

2021-12-30T19:36:53Z

The fast was started in sep '32, not '33.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:06, 31 December 2021
Line 2:		Line 2:
	The '''Communal Award''' was created by the [[British prime minister]] [[Ramsay MacDonald]] on 16 August 1932. Also known as the MacDonald Award, it was announced after the [[Round Table Conference]] (1930–32) and extended the [[separate electorate]] to depressed Classes (now known as the [[Scheduled Caste]]) and other minorities.<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas Metcalf (2006). ''A Concise History of Modern India'' (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 194</ref> The separate electorate was introduced in [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] for Muslims<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas Metcalf (2006). ''A Concise History of Modern India'' (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 160-161</ref> and extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans by [[Government of India Act 1919]].<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act-1443012001-1] 'Government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act'</ref>		The '''Communal Award''' was created by the [[British prime minister]] [[Ramsay MacDonald]] on 16 August 1932. Also known as the MacDonald Award, it was announced after the [[Round Table Conference]] (1930–32) and extended the [[separate electorate]] to depressed Classes (now known as the [[Scheduled Caste]]) and other minorities.<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas Metcalf (2006). ''A Concise History of Modern India'' (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 194</ref> The separate electorate was introduced in [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] for Muslims<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas Metcalf (2006). ''A Concise History of Modern India'' (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 160-161</ref> and extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans by [[Government of India Act 1919]].<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act-1443012001-1] 'Government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act'</ref>

	The separate electorate was now available to the [[Forward Caste]], [[Muslims]], [[Buddhists]], [[Sikhs]], [[Indian Christians]], [[Anglo-Indians]], [[Europeans]] and Depressed Classes (now known as the Scheduled Caste) etc. The principle of weightage was also applied.<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Nugent \|first=Helen M. \|date=1979 \|title=The communal award: The process of decision‐making \|journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies \|volume=2 \|issue=1-2 \|pages=112–129 \|doi=10.1080/00856407908722988}}</ref> Sir Samuel Hoare asked for clarification of the ninth and last paragraph that applied directly to the Depressed Classes. The Award favoured the minorities over the Hindus causing consternation and eliciting anger from Gandhi.<ref>''The Bombay Chronicle,'' 18 August 1932, in Dhananjay Keer, ''Dr.Ambedkar: Life and Mission'' (Popular Prakashan, 1971), p.204.</ref> From the fastness of Yervada Jail he made contact with the Cabinet in London declaring ~~on 4 January 1933~~ an open fast until death.		The separate electorate was now available to the [[Forward Caste]], [[Muslims]], [[Buddhists]], [[Sikhs]], [[Indian Christians]], [[Anglo-Indians]], [[Europeans]] and Depressed Classes (now known as the Scheduled Caste) etc. The principle of weightage was also applied.<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Nugent \|first=Helen M. \|date=1979 \|title=The communal award: The process of decision‐making \|journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies \|volume=2 \|issue=1-2 \|pages=112–129 \|doi=10.1080/00856407908722988}}</ref> Sir Samuel Hoare asked for clarification of the ninth and last paragraph that applied directly to the Depressed Classes. The Award favoured the minorities over the Hindus causing consternation and eliciting anger from Gandhi.<ref>''The Bombay Chronicle,'' 18 August 1932, in Dhananjay Keer, ''Dr.Ambedkar: Life and Mission'' (Popular Prakashan, 1971), p.204.</ref> From the fastness of Yervada Jail he made contact with the Cabinet in London declaring in September 1932 an open fast until death.

	The reason behind introduction of Communal Award was that Ramsay MacDonald considered himself as 'a friend of the Indians' and thus wanted to resolve the issues in India. The Communal Award was announced after the failure of the Second of the [[Round Table Conferences (India)]]. The Award attracted severe criticism from [[Mahatma Gandhi]].		The reason behind introduction of Communal Award was that Ramsay MacDonald considered himself as 'a friend of the Indians' and thus wanted to resolve the issues in India. The Communal Award was announced after the failure of the Second of the [[Round Table Conferences (India)]]. The Award attracted severe criticism from [[Mahatma Gandhi]].

>ElliAWB: Reverted edits by Ebbedlila (talk) to last version by 2409:4063:4E06:B687:E050:336E:59CE:D3B9. requested at ANI

2021-10-02T18:18:41Z

Reverted edits by Ebbedlila (talk) to last version by 2409:4063:4E06:B687:E050:336E:59CE:D3B9. requested at ANI

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:48, 2 October 2021
(No difference)

2409:4063:4E06:B687:E050:336E:59CE:D3B9 at 05:42, 23 August 2021

2021-08-23T05:42:59Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
The '''Communal Award''' was created by the [[British prime minister]] [[Ramsay MacDonald]] on 16 August 1932. Also known as the MacDonald Award, it was announced after the [[Round Table Conference]] (1930–32) and extended the [[separate electorate]] to depressed Classes (now known as the [[Scheduled Caste]]) and other minorities.<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas Metcalf (2006). ''A Concise History of Modern India'' (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 194</ref> The separate electorate was introduced in [[Indian Councils Act 1909]] for Muslims<ref>Barbara Metcalf; Thomas Metcalf (2006). ''A Concise History of Modern India'' (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 160-161</ref> and extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans by [[Government of India Act 1919]].<ref>[https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act-1443012001-1] 'Government-of-india-act-1919-montagu-chelmsford-reforms-main-features-of-the-act'</ref>

The separate electorate was now available to the [[Forward Caste]], [[Muslims]], [[Buddhists]], [[Sikhs]], [[Indian Christians]], [[Anglo-Indians]], [[Europeans]] and Depressed Classes (now known as the Scheduled Caste) etc. The principle of weightage was also applied.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Nugent |first=Helen M. |date=1979 |title=The communal award: The process of decision‐making |journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies |volume=2 |issue=1-2 |pages=112–129 |doi=10.1080/00856407908722988}}</ref> Sir Samuel Hoare asked for clarification of the ninth and last paragraph that applied directly to the Depressed Classes. The Award favoured the minorities over the Hindus causing consternation and eliciting anger from Gandhi.<ref>''The Bombay Chronicle,'' 18 August 1932, in Dhananjay Keer, ''Dr.Ambedkar: Life and Mission'' (Popular Prakashan, 1971), p.204.</ref> From the fastness of Yervada Jail he made contact with the Cabinet in London declaring on 4 January 1933 an open fast until death.

The reason behind introduction of Communal Award was that Ramsay MacDonald considered himself as 'a friend of the Indians' and thus wanted to resolve the issues in India. The Communal Award was announced after the failure of the Second of the [[Round Table Conferences (India)]]. The Award attracted severe criticism from [[Mahatma Gandhi]].

The Award was controversial as it was believed by some to have been brought in by the British to create social divide among the Hindus. Gandhi feared that it would disintegrate Hindu society. However, the Communal Award was supported by many among the [[minority group|minority communities]], most notably the Father of Indian Constitution, Dr. [[B. R. Ambedkar]]. According to Ambedkar, Gandhi was ready to award separate electorates to Muslims and Sikhs. But Gandhi was reluctant to give separate electorates to scheduled castes. He was afraid of division inside Congress and Hindu society due to separate scheduled caste representations. But Ambedkar insisted for separate electorate for scheduled caste.

[[Akali Dal]], the representative body of the Sikhs, was also highly critical of the Award since only 19% was reserved to the Sikhs in [[Punjab]], as opposed to the 51% reservation for the Muslims and 30% for the Hindus.<ref name="Engineer2006">{{cite book|author=Asgharali Engineer|title=They too fought for India's freedom: the role of minorities|year=2006|publisher=Hope India Publications|isbn=978-81-7871-091-4|page=177}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Bipan Chandra|title=India's Struggle for Independence|year=1989|publisher=Penguin India|isbn=978-0-140-10781-4|page=290}}</ref> Gandhi concurred with the revival of ''[[Swaraj]]'' which became policy in May 1934 on ratification by the All-India Congress Committee. The Government reluctantly agreed to lift the ban on Congress. In return they received anxious support from the [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] still smarting from Gandhi's majoritarianism. After lengthy negotiations, Gandhi reached an agreement with Ambedkar to have a single Hindu electorate, with scheduled castes having seats reserved within it. The [[Poona Pact]] rejected any further advancement for the Depressed, yet satisfied electorates for other religions like Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans that remained separate.

During the parliamentary debates on the Government of India bill the Untouchables gained a notable champion in a Conservative MP, A.V.Goodman. He stressed their poverty should be ameliorated by greater representation in the provincial assemblies. But while Muslim League remained ambivalent to the Communal Award its ratification by the Central Assembly remained a priority.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
| last = Menon
| first = V.P.
| author-link = V.P. Menon
| title = Transfer of Power in India
| publisher = Orient Blackswan
| year = 1998
| pages = 49
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hxdwpfLfEeoC
| isbn =978-81-250-0884-2}}

[[Category:Indian independence movement]]
[[Category:Dalit politics]]
[[Category:Dalit history]]
[[Category:1932 in India]]
[[Category:Reservation in India]]
[[Category:B. R. Ambedkar]]