Consider the following statements with respect to Provisions of Communal Awards under Ramsay MacDonald:
1. It accorded separate electorate for Marathas for seats in Bombay.
2. The depressed classes were to get ‘double vote’, one for separate electorates and other for general electorates.
3. The Congress disagreed with the award and thus rejected it.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation Statement 1 is correct: The provision of the Separate Electorate was extended to Muslims, Europeans, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo Indians, depressed classes, women, and even the Marathas for some seats in Bombay. Such an arrangement for the depressed classes was to be made for a period of 20 years.
Statement 2 is correct: The depressed classes were to get ‘double vote’, one to be used through separate electorates and the other to be used in the general electorates.
Statement 3 is not correct: The Congress opposed separate electorates but believed the Communal Award should not be changed without minority consent. While strongly disagreeing with the award, the Congress chose neither to accept nor reject it.
Other Provisions in the Communal Award:
• The existing seats of the provincial legislatures were to be doubled.
• The Muslims, wherever they were in minority, were to be granted a weightage.
• Except in the North West Frontier Province, 3 per cent seats were to be reserved for women in all provinces.
• The depressed classes were to be declared/accorded the status of minority
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