Morley-Minto Reforms : Indian Councils Act of 1909

Morley-Minto Reforms: The Morley-Minto reforms, also known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909, were named after the Secretary of State for Indian Affairs, Lord John Morley, and the Viceroy, Lord Minto. This legislative initiative marked a significant departure by introducing the electoral method. The objective was to broaden the scope of legislative councils, address the demands of moderates within the Indian National Congress, and enhance Indian participation in governance. The Act represented amendments to the Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892. Read below to learn about the Morley-Minto Reforms: Indian Councils Act of 1909 in depth.

Morley- Minto Reforms

Background of the Morley-Minto Reforms

Despite Queen Victoria’s proclamation of equal treatment for Indians, only a limited number were afforded such opportunities due to the British authorities’ reluctance to accept them as equal partners.

The partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon triggered a significant uprising in the region. Subsequently, recognizing the necessity for reforms in the governance of Indians, the British authorities acknowledged the imperative for change.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale met Morley in England to emphasize the need for reforms.

In October 1906, a faction of Muslim elites known as the Shimla Deputation, led by Agha Khan, held a meeting with Lord Minto. During this encounter, they put forth the demand for separate electorates for Muslims and representation beyond their numerical strength. The basis for this request was the perceived significant contribution of Muslims to the defense of the empire.

John Morley, who was in charge of India, and Lord Minto, the Viceroy, thought it was important to stop the unrest in Bengal. But they knew that just stopping the trouble there wouldn’t be enough to make things stable again in the British Raj, especially after Lord Curzon had split Bengal. They thought they needed to take big action to encourage the loyal upper-class Indians and the increasingly Westernized part of the population.

Features of the Morley-Minto Reforms

Some important features are as follows:

• It considerably increased the size of the legislative councils, both central and provincial. The number of members in the Central Legislative Council was raised from 16 to 60. The number of members in the provincial legislative councils was not uniform.
• While permitting a non-official majority in the regional legislative councils, it kept the official majority in the Central Legislative Council.
• The elected members were to be indirectly elected. The local bodies were to elect an electoral college, which in turn would elect members of provincial legislatures, who in turn would elect members of the central legislature.
• It increased the legislative councils’ deliberative authority at both levels. Members were free to move resolutions on the budget, ask additional questions, and so on.
• It allowed Indians to join the Viceroy and Governors’ Executive Councils. Satyendra Prasad Sinha was the first Indian on the Viceroy’s Executive Council as a law member. Additionally, two Indians were nominated to the Secretary of State for the Indian Affairs Council.
• It introduced separate electorates for Muslims, where only Muslim voters could elect Muslim representatives. This legalized communalism, earning Lord Minto the title “Father of the Communal Electorate.”
• It also allowed separate representation for presidential corporations, chambers of commerce, universities, and zamindars.

Morley-Minto Reforms Criticism

• The Congress leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the Morley-Minto reforms as they called for a responsible government, while the reforms primarily aimed at enhancing native participation in legislatures.
• The primary flaw in the reform was the implementation of separate electorates for Muslims. This led to a breakdown in Hindu-Muslim unity and played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the country’s partition.
• Muslims were granted a separate electorate, coupled with a disproportionate reservation of a significant number of seats compared to their population.
• Indian nationalists considered it the British policy of ‘divide and rule’. The British aimed to divide the Nationalist ranks and turn moderates and Muslims against the nationalism tide.

Importance of Morley-Minto Reforms

Though some Indians had previously been assigned to legislative councils, it essentially allowed the election of Indians to the various legislative councils in India for the first time.

1. The introduction of the electoral principle laid the groundwork for a parliamentary system, even though this was contrary to the intent of Morley.
2. For the first time, it also acknowledged the elective concept as the foundation for the legislative council’s composition.
3. It offered Indians more channels through which to air their complaints. Additionally, they have the chance to offer suggestions for improved management and to criticize the leadership.

Conclusion

While there was some improvement in Indian participation in legislative councils, the act has significant flaws, notably communal representation that persists today. The introduction of separate electorates, while providing relief to Muslims, weakened the Indian National Movement, leading to the eventual division of the country along communal lines. Additionally, the Morley-Minto Reforms fell short in establishing a system of self-government.

FAQs on Morley-Minto Reforms

1. What were the Morley-Minto Reforms?

The Morley-Minto Reforms, also known as the Indian Council Act 1909, were a set of constitutional changes in British India. They aimed to increase Indian participation in legislative councils and address certain political issues.

2. What were the objectives of the Morley-Minto Reforms?

The objectives of the Morley-Minto Reforms were:

• To increase Indian representation in the Legislative Councils
• To introduce separate electorates for Muslims
• To introduce non-official Indians to the Viceroy’s Executive Council

3. Which act is referred to as the Morley-Minto reforms?

The 1909 Indian Councils Act is referred to as the Morley-Minto reforms. This Act expanded the scope of democratic involvement by augmenting the magnitude of the Central and Provincial Legislative Councils.

4. Who was the first Indian to join the Viceroy’s Executive Council under the Morley-Minto Reforms?

Satyendra Prasad Sinha became the first Indian to join the Viceroy’s Executive Council as a law member, marking a significant development in Indian political representation.

5. What is communal representation, and how did it feature in the Morley-Minto Reforms?

Community representation involved separate electorates for different religious communities. In the case of the Morley-Minto Reforms, it introduced separate electorates for Muslims, contributing to religious divisions.