Read the passage and answer the question:
The British element is gone, but they have left the mischief behind. We do not want to perpetuate that mischief. (Hear, hear). When the British introduced this element they had not expected that they will have to go so soon. They wanted it for their easy administration. That is all right. But they have left the legacy behind. Are we to get out of it or not?
Which of the following is NOT an evil effect of separate electorates?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It satisfied all the minority sections of the society.
Option (1) It was a measure to divide the people. — Correct statement. Most nationalists saw separate electorates as a measure deliberately introduced by the British to divide the people.
Option (2) It brought bitterness among the people. — Correct statement. Sardar Patel called separate electorates “a poison that has entered the body politic of our country”, a demand that had turned one community against another and caused bloodshed.
Option (3) It satisfied all the minority sections of the society. — Incorrect statement. Separate electorates did not satisfy all minorities; the demand provoked anger and dismay amongst most nationalists. Govind Ballabh Pant argued that it was a suicidal demand that would permanently isolate the minorities, make them vulnerable and deprive them of any effective say in the government.
Option (4) It has led to the partition of India. — Correct statement. Patel said the demand had divided the nation and led to the tragic partition of the country.
NCERT (2026-27): “3.1 The problem with separate electorates … This demand for separate electorates provoked anger and dismay amongst most nationalists. In the passionate debate that followed, a range of arguments were offered against the demand. Most nationalists saw separate electorates as a measure deliberately introduced by the British to divide the people. ‘The English played their game under the cover of safeguards,’ R.V. Dhulekar told Bahadur. ‘With the help of it they allured you (the minorities) to a long lull. Give it up now … Now there is no one to misguide you.’ Partition had made nationalists fervently opposed to the idea of separate electorates. They were haunted by the fear of continued civil war, riots and violence. Separate electorates was a ‘poison that has entered the body politic of our country’, declared Sardar Patel. It was a demand that had turned one community against another, divided the nation, caused bloodshed, and led to the tragic partition of the country. ‘Do you want peace in this land? If so do away with it (separate electorates),’ urged Patel. 3.1 The problem with separate electorates … Yet Pant opposed the idea of separate electorates. It was a suicidal demand, he argued, that would permanently isolate the minorities, make them vulnerable, and deprive them of any effective say within the government.…” |