1909 Minto-Morley Reforms

 

Topic: 1909 Minto-Morley Reforms (మింటో-మార్లే సంస్కరణలు)

• Year: 1909 (Very Important - Frequently asked in exams)

• Also Known As: Indian Councils Act of 1909 (1909 కౌన్సిల్ చట్టం)

Background & Context:

1. Shimla Deputation (1906 - సిమ్లా డిప్యుటేషన్):

   • A delegation (ప్రతినిధి బృందము) of 35 Muslims led by Aga Khan III (అగాఖాన్-III) met the then Viceroy.

   • Viceroy: Lord Minto (లార్డ్ మింటో) (Important Name **).

   • Purpose: To request political safeguards and representation for Muslims in the upcoming reforms, acknowledging British support in forming the Muslim League.

   • Key Demand: Separate Electorates (ప్రత్యేక నియోజకవర్గాలు / స్పెషల్ ఎలక్టోరేట్స్) for Muslims, meaning only Muslims would vote for Muslim candidates.

2. Key Figures:

   • Lord Minto: Viceroy of India (based in India).

   • Lord Morley: Secretary of State for India (భారతీయ రాజ్య కార్యదర్శి) (based in London, senior to Viceroy). Introduced the bill in the British Parliament.

   • Technically, "Morley-Minto Reforms" reflects the hierarchy, but "Minto-Morley" is the common name.

Main Provisions of the 1909 Act (Minto-Morley Reforms):

1. Legislative Councils Expansion:

   • The number of elected members in the Imperial and Provincial Legislative Councils was increased.

   • Imperial Legislative Council size increased from 16 to 60 members (16 నుంచి 60 కి). (Satisfied the Moderate INC demand for increased Indian representation).

2. Separate Electorates Introduced:

   • Crucial Point: Granted separate electorates to Muslims for the first time.

   • Muslim members were to be elected only by Muslim voters.

   • This was a major demand of the Muslim League (via the Shimla Deputation).

3. Indian Member in Viceroy's Executive Council:

   • For the first time, an Indian was appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council (which advised the GG/Viceroy).

   • Appointee: Satyendra Sinha (సత్యేంద్ర సిన్హా) (Important Name **).

   • Portfolio: Law Member (న్యాయ శాఖ సభ్యుడిగా).

4. Limited Voting Rights:

   • Voting rights were introduced/expanded but were not universal.

   • Franchise was limited based on criteria like:

     • Property ownership (ఆస్తి / సంపద)

     • Education level (చదువు)

   • Differential requirements existed (e.g., different property/education levels needed for Hindus vs. Muslims to vote - implying a pro-Muslim bias in criteria).

   • Contrast with current Universal Adult Franchise (వయోజన ఓటు హక్కు) where all citizens above 18 can vote regardless of property, education, religion, caste, gender etc.

Explanation of Electorate Systems:

1. Joint Electorate (జాఇంట్ ఎలక్టోరేట్స్) (Present System):

   • Example: In an SC reserved constituency, the candidate must be SC.

   • However, all voters in that constituency (SC, ST, BC, OC, etc.) vote for the candidates.

   • The elected representative is accountable to all communities but often relies on the majority community's votes.

2. Separate/Special Electorate (స్పెషల్ ఎలక్టోరేట్స్) (Introduced for Muslims in 1909):

   • Example: In a Muslim reserved constituency, the candidate must be Muslim.

   • Only Muslim voters in that constituency could vote.

   • The elected representative was primarily accountable only to the Muslim community.

   • Supported by proponents as protecting minority (Muslim) interests from majority (Hindu) dominance.

Impact & Significance:

• The reforms appeased the Moderates in the INC by increasing council size.

• They appeased the Muslim League by granting separate electorates.

• Major Criticism: Seen as officially sowing the seeds of communalism (మతతత్వము) in Indian politics by constitutionally recognizing Hindus and Muslims as separate political entities. This is considered a key step in the "Divide and Rule" policy that eventually led to partition.

Clarification Point:

• Governor-General during Swadeshi Movement (1905 onwards): It was Lord Minto, not Lord Curzon (who initiated the Partition of Bengal but left in 1905).