Which of the following statements about Govind Ballabh Pant's argumen…

Which of the following statements about Govind Ballabh Pant's arguments against separate electorates are correct?

(A) Pant believed separate electorates would be suicidal to the minorities.
(B) Pant said minorities returned by separate electorates can never have any effective voice.
(C) Pant said the feeling of pride would strengthen isolated minorities from the very beginning.
(D) Pant said separate electorates would help the minorities guide and control the destinies of the nation.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → A and B only

(A) Pant believed separate electorates would be suicidal to the minorities. — Correct. Pant said separate electorates would be suicidal to the minorities and do them tremendous harm.

(B) Pant said minorities returned by separate electorates can never have any effective voice. — Correct. He held that members chosen by separate electorates can never have any effective voice.

(C) Pant said the feeling of pride would strengthen isolated minorities from the very beginning. — Incorrect. Pant spoke of a feeling of frustration that would cripple isolated minorities from the very beginning.

(D) Pant said separate electorates would help the minorities guide and control the destinies of the nation. — Incorrect. Pant argued the reverse. Isolated minorities could never hope to guide and control the destinies of a great nation.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.1 The problem with separate electorates …
During the debate on 27 August 1947, Govind Ballabh Pant said: I believe separate electorates will be suicidal to the minorities and will do them tremendous harm. If they are isolated for ever, they can never convert themselves into a majority and the feeling of frustration will cripple them even from the very beginning. What is it that you desire and what is our ultimate objective? Do the minorities always want to remain as minorities or do they ever expect to form an integral part of a great nation and as such to guide and control its destinies? If they do, can they ever achieve that aspiration and that ideal if they are isolated from the rest of the community? I think it would be extremely dangerous for them if they were segregated from the rest of the community and kept aloof in an air-tight compartment where they would have to rely on others even for the air they breath … The minorities if they are returned by separate electorates can never have any effective voice. …”