Separate Electorate
description: In colonial India, the category of Depressed Classes was approached through two distinct lenses as a socio-political issue and a moral and cultural issue. Two towering figures represented these perspectives B. R. Ambedkar and M. K. Gandhi. While Gandhi earnestly sought to address untouchability and other socio-cultural challenges faced by Depressed Classes through moral teachings, his approach was contested for being quite ineffective. Ambedkar, on the contrary, viewed the problem as deeply entrenched within religion and culture, advocating for socio-political empowerment as the solution. This chapter maps the historical events leading to Ambedkars successfully lobbying of British India for a separate electorate for Depressed Classes. It examines Gandhis vehement objection to the same based on his understanding that such provision would be detrimental to Depressed Classes, Hinduism, and national unity. Consequently, this chapter analyses how Ambedkar was forced to come to an agreement with Gandhi and sign the Poona Pact that put an end to proposed separate electorate but granted additional reserved seats to Depressed Classes. This chapter provides historical contexts and discusses the debates around the political representation of the minorities to address the larger question of political share of Depressed Classes in Indian electorate. 2026 selection and editorial matter, Mahitosh Mandal and Sanjiv Kondekar; individual chapters, the contributors.
creator: Kumar, Chandan
source: Dalit Studies: Key Terms and Concepts;pp.390-398
publisher: Taylor and Francis
date: 01-01-2026
rights: Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
relation: ISBN: 978-104087057-0; 978-104105815-1;
language: English
type: Book chapter
coverage: Kumar C., Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India