Describe the main features of Poona Pact

Describe the main features of Poona Pact.

Answer

The main features of Poona Pact were:

1. The Poona Pact (of September 1932) gave Depressed Classes (later to be known as Scheduled caste) reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils.
2. They were to be voted in by the general electorate.
3. The act came into force due to Gandhiji’s fast unto death.
4. Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji’s stand.

Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930, clashed with Mahatma Gandhi at the second Round Table Conference by demanding separate electorates for dalits. When the British government conceded Ambedkar’s demand, Gandhiji began a fast unto death. He believed that separate electorates for dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society.

Ambedkar ultimately accepted Gandhiji’s position and the result was the Poona Pact of September 1932. It gave the Depressed Classes (later to be known as the Schedule Castes) reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils, but they were to be voted in by the general electorate.