Q. Write a note on Right of Separate Electorate.

Ans:
After the war of independence (called MUTINY by the British), the Muslims
became a slave nation and the British tried to make them eternal slaves by
introducing Combined Electorate in the name of political reforms. Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan then demanded for the separate electorate. At last the Muslims
were given the right of separate electorate in the Act of 1909 (Minto Marley
Reforms) after discussing it with the Muslim Delegation at Simla in 1906.
Separate Electorate:
Separate Electorate is a political term. It means an electoral system in which the
rights and interests of different nations are protected by fixing their separate
seats in the legislatures according to the proportion of their population. In this
system the voters of that nation can vote for the contestant of their own nations
particularly.
Combined Electorate:
Combined Electorate is another political term. It means an electoral system in
which the rights and interests of different nations are not protected by fixing their
separate seats in the legislatures but the candidates of any nation can win one
seat by the majority of votes. In these electorates minorities are dependents on
the will of majorities.
Importance of Separate Electorate for the Muslims in the Sub-
Continent:
Without the right of separate electorate the Hindu Majority could dominate the
Muslims in the British Democratic System. The separate identity of the Muslims
was in danger because of combined electorate system and the political rights of
the Muslims were being ignored. That is why the Muslims of the Sub-Continent
demanded the Separate Electorate.
Muslim Struggle for the Separate Electorate:
The Combined Electorate System was implemented in India after the war of
independence. The Muslims raised their voice against it through out the struggle
for freedom. Following are the various aspects behind the Muslim Struggle for
the Separate Electorate.
1. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Separate Electorate:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the first Muslim Leader who opposed the combined
electorate system when it was implemented. He explained the intensity by
pointing out the differences in Meerut on 16 January 1888. He said,
"This thing is confirmed that the population of Hindus is four times more. We can
calculate that the Hindu candidate will get four votes and Muslim candidate will
get only one vote. Therefore, it is necessary that separate electorate should be
implemented and Hindu Muslim constituencies should be marked so that Hindu
votes will elect Hindu candidates and Muslim voters will elect Muslim
candidates."

2. Act of 1892 and Combined Electorate:

Combined electorate was implemented in India under the Act of 1892 in central
and provincial levels. The candidates and the voters were given different terms of
property, income and education. These terms affected majority of the Muslims.

1. Muslim Reaction on Combined Electorates:

Sir Syed criticized the combined electorate system and other Muslims strongly
reacted against it. Syed Mahmud, son of Sir Syed and Mr. Beck, The Principal Ali
Garh College sent a memorandum to the British Government demanding:
"The Muslims would always be deprived of leadership due to combined
electorate. As the Muslims are a separate nation, they should be given the right
to the separate electorate."
2. Simla Delegation and Separate Electorate:
On 1st October, 1906 a delegation of 35 Muslim leaders under the headship of Sir
Agha Khan met the Viceroy Lord Minto and demanded the right of separate
electorate for the Indian Muslims in the following words:
"Separate electorate should be implemented in the Sub-continent. The Muslim
constituencies should be marked for this. So that Muslim voters may vote for
Muslim candidates and the Hindu voters may vote for the Hindu candidates." 5.
Efforts of Muslim League for Separate Electorate:
After its establishment, Muslim League started efforts for separate electorate. A
delegation of London Branch under the headship of Syed Ameer Ali met John
Marley, the minister for India and emphasized the approval of separate
electorate. Later on another delegation of the Muslims met the Viceroy Lord
Minto and reminded him his promise with Simla Delegation. At last John Marley
and Lord Minto approved the demand.
1. Reaction of Hindus on the Demand for Separate Electorate:
Congress and prominent leaders of Hindus opposed the Muslim demand for the
separate electorate. They declared it communal system of electorate and
branded the Muslim league a communal party and its objectives against the
interests of India. They also forced the British to withdraw this approval.
2. Minto Marley Reforms and Separate Electorate:
In 1909 Minto Marley Reforms were introduced in the Sub-Continent. In these
reforms the demand for separate electorate was approved. The Muslims were
allotted five seats in the Central Legislature and 18 out of 284 seats from the
provincial Legislature though in Punjab and C.P separate electorate was not
promulgated.
3. Lucknow Pact and Separate Electorate:
Hindus opposed the approval of separate electorate in Minto Marley Reforms.
With the efforts of Mr. Jinnah a pact was signed between Muslim League and
Congress in Lucknow in 1916. in this Pact Congress agreed to the separate
electorate for the Muslims. This is the only occasion in the history of the struggle
for the freedom that Congress accepted the Muslims as a separate nation.
4. Lord Chelmsford Reforms and Separate Electorate:
In 1919 Lord Chelmsford introduced reforms in the Sub-continent. As Congress
has accepted this right of the Muslims, he did not disapprove separate electorate.
 5. Delhi Proposals and Separate Electorate:
Moti Lal Nehru offered Quaid-e-Azam to accept all the demands of the Muslims if
the Muslims were ready to withdraw from the right of separate electorate. Quaid-
e-Azam called a meeting of the Muslim leaders in Delhi in 1927. They prepared
some suggestions called Delhi Proposals as a substitute for the right of separate
electorate. These suggestions were not accepted by the Hindus so Quaid-e-
Azam withdrew these proposals and the Muslims remained firm at the separate
electorate.
6. Nehru Report and Separate Electorate:
In August 1928 under the headship of Moti Lal Nehru a seven member
committee presented its report. In this report separate electorate was strongly
opposed in the following words:
"Separate electorate is a cause of communal violence therefore combined
electorates should be implemented."
7. All Parties Muslim Conference and Separate Electorate:
All parties Muslim Conference was held in Delhi. In this conference all the Muslim
leaders including Quaid-e-Azam strongly supported separate electorate.
8. Fourteen Points of Quaid-e-Azam and Separate Electorate:
Quaid-e-Azam presented a resolution as an answer to the Nehru Report in the
annual meeting of All India Muslim League on 25 March, 1929. The resolution
consisted of fourteen points was accepted unanimously. Later on this resolution
became popular with the name of "Fourteen Points of Quaid-e-Azam". In one
point Quaid-e-Azam said,
"The present system of separate electorate should remain as such but each sect
should be given the permission to adopt combined electorate on its wish."
9. Communal Award and Separate Electorate:
Indian Leaders failed to find a solution for the communal problems in three
Round Table Conferences (1930- 1932). After these Conferences, The British
Government issued an award known as "Communal Award". In this award The
British Government announced the right of separate electorate not only for
Muslims but for Sikhs, Christians and Achuts also.
10. Government of India Act 1935 and Separate Electorate:
British Government promulgated Government of India Act 1935 to end the
constitutional crises in India keeping in view the reports of three Round Table
Conferences. Separate electorate system remained a part of this law.

Conclusion:
The separate electorate was not merely a demand but was a matter of great
importance for the Indian Muslims. Under this election system Muslim League
won 434 out of 492 Muslim Seats in the Provinces and 30 out of 30 Muslim seats
in the Center. Thus separate electorate system proved strength for the
establishment of Pakistan. At last Indian Muslims succeeded in achieving their
free homeland.