describe the main feature of poona pact

It is called the Poona Pact, and it was an agreement between two of the most influential leaders of the Indian freedom movement: Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Do you know what the Poona Pact was and what its main feature was? If not, don’t worry, I will explain it to you in this blog post. 😊

What was the Poona Pact?

The Poona Pact was an agreement that gave new rights and representation to the Dalits, or the depressed classes, in British India. The Dalits were the lowest caste in the Hindu society, who faced discrimination, oppression, and exclusion for centuries. They were denied access to education, employment, temples, public places, and even water sources. They were treated as untouchables and outcasts by the upper castes.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a Dalit himself, who rose to become a brilliant scholar, lawyer, economist, and social reformer. He was the leader of the Dalits and fought for their rights and dignity. He participated in the First Round Table Conference in London in 1930-31, where he demanded separate electorates for the Dalits in the provincial and central legislatures of British India.

Separate electorates meant that only Dalits could vote for Dalit candidates, and only Dalit candidates could represent Dalits. This would ensure that the Dalits had a voice and a say in the governance of the country. Ambedkar argued that this was the only way to protect the interests and welfare of the Dalits from the domination of the upper castes.

However, Mahatma Gandhi, who was also a champion of social justice and equality, strongly opposed the idea of separate electorates for the Dalits. He believed that this would divide the Hindu community and weaken the nationalist movement against British rule. He also believed that separate electorates would perpetuate the caste system and prevent the integration and upliftment of the Dalits.

Gandhi was so adamant about his opposition that he went on a fast unto death at Yerwada Central Jail in Poona on September 20, 1932. He declared that he would not eat anything until the British government withdrew its decision to grant separate electorates to the Dalits.

This created a huge uproar and panic in India. Many Hindu leaders, social reformers, and political parties urged Ambedkar to compromise with Gandhi and save his life. They also feared that Gandhi’s death would spark a violent backlash from his followers and jeopardize the peace and stability of the country.

Ambedkar was in a dilemma. He did not want to be responsible for Gandhi’s death, but he also did not want to betray his fellow Dalits by giving up their rights. He agreed to negotiate with Gandhi and his representatives at Yerwada Central Jail on September 24, 1932.

After hours of discussion and debate, they finally reached an agreement that came to be known as the Poona Pact.

What was the main feature of the Poona Pact?

The main feature of the Poona Pact was that it gave new rights and representation to the Dalits without dividing them from the rest of the Hindu community. It was a compromise between two opposing visions of social change: one that sought to reform the caste system from within, and one that sought to challenge it from without. It was a reflection of the complexity and diversity of the Indian society and its struggle for freedom and justice.

The Poona Pact granted reserved seats for the Dalits in the provincial and central legislatures of British India, elected by joint electorates. This meant that both Dalits and non-Dalits could vote for Dalit candidates, and both Dalit and non-Dalit candidates could represent Dalits.

The Poona Pact also stipulated that there would be no discrimination or disabilities attached to anyone on the ground of being a member of the depressed classes in regard to any election to local bodies or appointment to public services. It also ensured that adequate funds would be allocated for providing educational facilities to the Dalits.

The Poona Pact was signed by Gandhi and Ambedkar on September 24, 1932, at Yerwada Central Jail in Poona. It was witnessed by several prominent leaders such as Madan Mohan Malaviya, Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel, Tej Bahadur Sapru, C. Rajagopalachari, etc. It was also endorsed by the British government as part of its Communal Award.

Why was the Poona Pact important?

The Poona Pact was a historic milestone in the history of India. It recognized the plight and aspirations of the Dalits, who had been oppressed and marginalized for centuries by the caste system. It also paved the way for the future affirmative action policies and constitutional safeguards for the Dalits and other backward classes in independent India.

However, the Poona Pact was not without its flaws and limitations. It did not satisfy all sections of the Dalit community, some of whom felt that Ambedkar had compromised their interests and betrayed their cause. It also did not address the root causes of the caste system and the social and economic inequalities that it created. It also did not guarantee the effective implementation and enforcement of the rights and provisions that it granted to the Dalits.

The Poona Pact was a product of its time and circumstances. It was a result of the clash and compromise between two visions of social change: one that sought to reform the caste system from within, and one that sought to challenge it from without. It was a reflection of the complexity and diversity of the Indian society and its struggle for freedom and justice.

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new about the Poona Pact and its main feature. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me in the comment section below.