Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The Government of India Act of 1935 marked a significant development in India's constitutional history. Among its key features were electoral reforms that aimed to expand political participation but retained several colonial constraints.

• These reforms introduced the concepts of a bicameral legislature, communal representation, and reserved seats to accommodate various communities and interests.

Body

Electoral Reforms under the Government of India Act 1935:

• Introduction of Separate Electorates: The Act continued and expanded the provision of separate electorates for religious communities, such as Muslims, Sikhs, and Anglo-Indians.
  • It aimed to ensure representation but ended up deepening communal divisions.
• Reserved Seats and Weightage: Seats were reserved for minorities and specific communities in legislatures.
  • The principle of weightage ensured minorities were over-represented in provinces where they were not in the majority.
• Bicameral Central Legislature: The central legislature became bicameral, consisting of the Federal Assembly (lower house) and the Council of States (upper house).
  • Members were partly elected and partly nominated, limiting the influence of the elected representatives.
• Provincial Elections and Autonomy: Provincial legislatures were established with larger electorates, and elections were conducted.

Expansion of Political Participation:

The Government of India Act 1935 significantly expanded political participation in the following ways:

• Expansion of Franchise: The electorate was expanded to include approximately 10-12% of the Indian population based on property qualifications, income, and education.
  • While this was an improvement from earlier limited franchises, it still excluded a vast majority of the population, particularly the poor and illiterate.
• Provincial Autonomy: Indian leaders at the provincial level could now legislate on subjects like health, education, and local government.
  • This provided a training ground for Indian politicians to engage in governance.
• Women’s Representation: For the first time, separate electorates for women were introduced, enabling their participation in decision-making.
  • However, the franchise for women remained limited to a small privileged section.
• Political Awareness and Party Growth: The elections held under the Act provided a platform for political parties like the Indian National Congress and others to mobilize masses and enhance political consciousness.

While the Government of India Act 1935 expanded political participation through widened electorates, communal representation, and the establishment of provincial autonomy, it was carefully designed to maintain colonial dominance:

• The British strategically used communal representation to divide Indian society.
• The powers of Governors and the Governor-General, including veto authority, ensured elected governments remained subordinate to British interests and undermined democratic intent of reforms.
• The limited nature of the franchise ensured that political participation remained confined to elites, slowing the democratization process.

Conclusion

The electoral reforms in the Government of India Act 1935 were a double-edged sword. While they expanded political participation and provincial governance, they also reinforced communal divisions, maintained colonial control, and limited true democracy. Despite these drawbacks, the Act set the stage for India’s future constitutional development and bolstered the push for full independence.