Why did Gandhi oppose the Communal Award despite its benefits for Dalits?
Of course. Here is a conceptual explanation of why Mahatma Gandhi opposed the Communal Award, structured for a UPSC aspirant.
Direct Answer
Mahatma Gandhi opposed the Communal Award of 1932 primarily because he believed that granting separate electorates to the Depressed Classes (Dalits) would permanently fragment Hindu society and create a political and social schism that could never be healed. While he acknowledged the severe disabilities faced by the Depressed Classes, he saw the solution in social reform and their complete integration within the Hindu fold, not in political separation, which he viewed as a "vivisection" of Hinduism itself.
Background
The context for the Communal Award emerged from the Second Round Table Conference in London in 1931. The conference was convened to discuss further constitutional reforms for India. A major point of contention was the representation of minorities. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, representing the Depressed Classes, forcefully argued for separate electorates, similar to those granted to Muslims under the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) and extended by the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919). He believed this was the only way to ensure that true representatives of the Dalits, who were not subservient to upper-caste Hindus, would be elected to the legislatures.
When the Indian delegates failed to reach a consensus, the British Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, announced that the British government would devise its own scheme. This resulted in the Communal Award, announced on 16th August 1932.
Core Explanation
Gandhi's opposition was not a denial of the injustices faced by Dalits but was rooted in a fundamentally different vision for their upliftment and for the future of the Indian nation. His core arguments were:
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Threat of Permanent Segregation: Gandhi feared that separate electorates would institutionalise the status of "Untouchables" as a separate political entity, distinct from the larger Hindu community. He argued this would perpetuate their social isolation rather than eradicating it. For him, untouchability was a sin within Hinduism that had to be purged from within, not by politically carving the community out.
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Weakening the National Movement: Gandhi saw the British policy of granting separate electorates as a classic "divide and rule" tactic. By creating separate political identities for different communities (Muslims, Sikhs, and now Dalits), the British were fragmenting the united front of the Indian nationalist movement. He believed a united India was paramount to achieving freedom.
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Moral and Religious Stand: Gandhi's opposition was deeply personal and moral. He declared that he would resist the award with his life. While imprisoned in Yerawada Jail in Poona, he announced a fast unto death, which commenced on 20th September 1932. He framed it as a penance by caste Hindus for the sin of untouchability and a call to their conscience.
This created immense pressure on Dr. Ambedkar. While he had secured a significant political victory for his community, he was now faced with the potential death of the nation's most revered leader, which could have triggered widespread violence against the Depressed Classes.
- November 1931: Dr. Ambedkar demands separate electorates for the Depressed Classes at the Second Round Table Conference.
- 16th August 1932: British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announces the Communal Award, granting this demand.
- 18th August 1932: Gandhi, in Yerawada Jail, writes to MacDonald, declaring his intention to fast unto death.
- 20th September 1932: Gandhi begins his fast.
- 24th September 1932: After intense negotiations between Ambedkar, Madan Mohan Malaviya, C. Rajagopalachari, and others, the Poona Pact is signed.
- 26th September 1932: Gandhi breaks his fast after the Pact is accepted by the British government.
Why It Matters
The Poona Pact, which replaced the Communal Award's provisions for the Depressed Classes, was a landmark compromise. It abandoned the idea of separate electorates but significantly increased the number of reserved seats for the Depressed Classes within the general Hindu electorate.
| Feature | Communal Award (for Depressed Classes) | Poona Pact |
|---|---|---|
| Electorate System | Separate Electorates: Only Dalits could vote for Dalit candidates in special constituencies. | Joint Electorates with Reserved Seats: All Hindus in a constituency would vote, but only a Dalit could stand as a candidate in a reserved seat. |
| Number of Seats | 71 seats in provincial legislatures. | 147 seats in provincial legislatures (more than double). |
| Voting Rights | Dalits would vote separately for their candidates and also in the general constituencies. | A two-tier system: Dalits would first select a panel of four candidates, and then the joint electorate would vote for one of them. |
| Core Principle | Political separation to ensure authentic representation. | Political integration with guaranteed representation. |
The Poona Pact was a pivotal moment. It averted a major crisis and brought the issue of untouchability to the forefront of national politics. Following the pact, Gandhi dedicated himself to the cause, founding the Harijan Sevak Sangh and undertaking a nationwide tour against untouchability.
Related Concepts
- Separate Electorates vs. Reserved Constituencies: A core concept in Indian constitutional history. Separate electorates mean a specific community votes for its own candidates exclusively. Reserved constituencies mean that a seat is reserved for a candidate from a specific community, but everyone in that constituency votes.
- Round Table Conferences (1930-32): A series of meetings between the British government and Indian political personalities to discuss constitutional reforms. Their failure to produce a consensus led to the Communal Award.
- Divide and Rule: The British imperial policy of exacerbating divisions among Indian communities (caste, religion, region) to strengthen their own rule and weaken the nationalist movement.
UPSC Angle
For the UPSC exam, this topic is crucial for both Prelims and Mains (GS Paper I). Examiners look for a nuanced understanding beyond a simple "Gandhi vs. Ambedkar" narrative.
- Conceptual Clarity: Clearly distinguish between separate electorates and reserved seats.
- Balanced Perspective: Acknowledge the validity of both Gandhi's and Ambedkar's positions. Ambedkar's demand was born from the lived reality of oppression and the failure of caste Hindus to reform. Gandhi's opposition stemmed from his vision of national unity and a belief in internal social reform.
- Consequences: Understand the long-term implications of the Poona Pact. It shaped the system of reservations in independent India and brought the issue of social justice into the mainstream of the freedom struggle.
- Analysis: Be prepared to critically analyse whether the Poona Pact truly served the interests of the Depressed Classes in the long run—a debate that continues to this day. Your answer should reflect this complexity.