Why did the Congress Party oppose the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909? (7 Marks)

 

PAK STUDIES

 CHAPTER 6

7 Mark Questions 

Q1. Why did the Congress Party oppose the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909?

   The Congress Party opposed and rejected the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909 due to multiple reasons. Firstly, because of the limited power that was given to the locals. Though the number of members in the Imperial and Provincial councils was increased, the truth was that the actual power still remained in the hands of the British. The councils could only suggest, thus their job was purely advisory while the British had the right to decide on matters. After 1906, the Congress had already added "self rule/swaraj" to their aims; hence, these reforms that did not provide any kind of effective powers to the Indians to operate the government, greatly unsettled them. The British intended that the Indians should be given a voice in the councils but Congress wanted greater responsibility which the government was not yet willing to give. 

Secondly, the fact that separate electorates had been given to the Muslims caused a great outcry in the Congress. From the very beginning, Congress claimed to represent all the communities of India and thus was only in favor of joint electorates, Furthermore such concessions were too much as they could damage the national feeling. Thirdly, the Congress also resented the relative high number of seats for Muslims in the councils despite their smaller numbers according to population. As a result such measures were considered to be 'undemocratic; and caused the Congress Party to oppose the reforms.