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Quiz on POONA PACT



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The Poona Pact refers to an agreement between Dr. B. R. and signed on 24 September 1932 at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune (now in Maharashtra), India.

For drafting a new Constitution involving for the native Indians, the British invited various leaders for Conferences in 1930-32.

The concept of separate electorates for the classes was raised by Dr. Ambedkar. Similar provisions were already available for other , including Muslims, Christians, Anglo-Indians and Sikhs.

The British government agreed with Ambedkar's contention, and British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald's Award to the "depressed classes" was to be incorporated into the constitution for governance of British India.

Mahatma Gandhi, however, strongly opposed the communal award on the grounds that it would Hindu society.

Mahatma Gandhi, as such, began an indefinite at Yerwada Central Jail from September 20, 1932 to protest this Award. A was reached on September 24, 1932.

The pact included the followings:

Seats wil be for the depressed classes in the manner then specified.

In the Legislature 18 per cent of the seats allotted to the general electorate for British India in the said legislature shall be reserved for the Depressed Classes.

The system of primary election to a panel of candidates for election to the Central and Provincial Legislatures as herein-before mentioned shall come to an end after the first years, unless terminated sooner by mutual agreement.

The system of representation of Depressed Classes by reserved seats in the Provincial and Central shall continue until determined otherwise by mutual agreement between the communities concerned in this settlement.

The Franchise for the Central and Provincial Legislatures of the Depressed Classes shall be as indicated, in the Lothian Report.

There shall be no attached to any one on the ground of his being a member of the Depressed Classes in regard to any election to local bodies or appointment to the public services.

Every endeavour shall be made to secure a representation of the Depressed Classes in these respects, subject to such qualifications as may be laid down for appointment to the Public Services.

In every out of the educational grant an adequate sum shall be ear-marked for providing facilities to the members of Depressed Classes.