INSIGHT UPSC QUIZ

GS History Modern India
Q.

Which of the following factors contributed to the rise of communalism during the British period?

1. Swadeshi Movement

2. Morley-Minto Reforms

3. Lucknow Pact of 1916

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. During the swadeshi movement, a section of Muslims supported the partition scheme from the very beginning. The Government was very eager to enlist the support of the Muslims against the Hindus. This policy was initiated by Lord Curzon when the visited East Bengal in 1904. He induced Nawab Salimulla of Dacca to declare himself in favour of the Partition.

  • Nawab Salimulla became the leader of the Muhammadan opposition to the anti-partition and Swadeshi movement. Inflammatory anti-Hindu pamphlets were distributed patronized by the government officials that resulted in the outbreak of many communal riots, the most serious of which were those at Comilla and Jamalpur

Statement 2 is correct. Under Morley-Minto reforms, Muslim voters (and later Sikhs and others) were put in separate constituencies from which only Muslims could stand as candidates and for which only Muslims could vote. Separate electorates turned elections and legislative councils into arenas for communal conflicts. Since the voters were exclusively the followers of one religion, the candidates did not have to appeal to voters belonging to other religions. They could, therefore, make blatantly communal appeals.

Statement 3 is correct. The Lucknow Pact contributed to the rise of communalism in India owing to the following provisions:

  • The weightage to Muslim minority was recognized, the result was that this left the way open to the future resurgence of communalism in Indian politics.
  • Muslim member's strength in legislature was laid down province by province, thus one of the most dangerous pacifist policies of congress not only recognized communal representation but also recognized communal privileges.
  • Any legislature could not work if 3/4th member of any religion opposed it, its consequence was introduction of communal veto in legislature.

Thus, Option D is Correct.

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