UPSC Prelims 2012 Q36: Modern History – Gandhian Mass Movements (1915 - 1942)
Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because
- (a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations
- (b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion
- (c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award
- (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Answer: (c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award
Explanation
Gandhi's fast unto death, 1932
In August 1932, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award.
It gave separate electorates to the Depressed Classes.
Gandhi, then in Yerawada Jail at Poona, began a fast unto death on 20 September 1932.
| Event | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Communal Award | 16 August 1932 | Separate electorates for Depressed Classes |
| Gandhi's fast | 20 September 1932 | He saw it as a division of Hindu society |
| Poona Pact | 24 September 1932 | Signed by Ambedkar and Madan Mohan Malaviya |
What the Poona Pact did:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Electorate | Joint electorate in place of separate electorates |
| Reserved seats | Raised from 71 to 147 in provincial legislatures |
| Central legislature | 18 per cent of seats reserved |
Answer: (c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The failure of the Round Table Conference did not lead to this fast.
- (b) Incorrect. Differences between the Congress and Muslim League were not the cause.
- (c) CORRECT. The fast was against the Communal Award of Ramsay MacDonald.
- (d) Incorrect. Option (c) gives the right reason, so 'none' cannot be chosen.
Key point
Communal Award (August 1932): separate electorates for Depressed Classes. Gandhi's fast in Yerawada Jail led to the Poona Pact (24 September 1932): joint electorate, 147 reserved seats.
Remember
Communal Award led to the fast; the fast led to the Poona Pact.
Common mistakes
- Linking the fast to the Second Round Table Conference, which ended in 1931.
- Forgetting that Gandhi was in jail when he fasted.
- Thinking the Poona Pact reduced seats; it more than doubled them.
Exam tip
1932 = Communal Award, fast, Poona Pact. Keep the three together in one line.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence, Ch 22 (the Communal Award and Poona Pact)
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India, Ch on Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences