September 24: MajorReforms and Victories that you need to know

Poona Pact was a social movement that was an aim of Dr. B.R Ambedkar to bring a political system closer to an ideal community.

Social reforms are important and have been very important in the past. Without them, many of us would not be able to take on roles in society that we do today. Read the blog to know about Dr. B.R.Ambedkar contribution in the Indian Constitution.

1932- Sanction of Poona Pact

Poona Pact refers to an agreement which was signed between Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi 84 years ago on September 24, 1932. The agreement was signed by Pt Madan Mohan Malviya and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and some Dalit leaders at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune, to break Mahatma Gandhi’s fast unto death. It began with the three Round Table Conferences (RTC) between 1930 and 1932 organized by the British government for reforming the Indian constitution. In the 1st conference, Dr B.R. Ambedkar who represented depressed classes in the conference demanded separate electorates. During the 2nd conference, the British government granted a communal award for representing minorities in India by providing for separate electorates for minority communities.

In this conference, INC took part and Mahatma Gandhi was appointed as sole representative. Gandhi and Ambedkar differed on the issue of separate electorates for the untouchables. Gandhi was against treating untouchables as separate from the Hindu community. This issue was resolved through the Poona Pact 1932.

Terms of Poona Pact 

1. Seat reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other Depressed classes in the provincial legislature.

2. The STs and SCs would form an electoral college which would elect four candidates for the general electorate in the Provincial Legislature.

3. The representation of these classes was based on the standards of joint electorates and reserved seats.

4. About 19 percent of seats are reserved for these classes in the legislature.

5. The system of election to the panel of candidates in both, Central and Provincial Legislature should come to end in 10 years unless it ends on mutual terms.

6. The representation of the classes through reservation should continue as per clauses 1 and 4 until determined, else by mutual agreement between the communities.

7. The franchise for the Central and Provincial Legislatures of these classes should be indicated in the Lothian Committee report.

8. There should be a fair representation of these classes. In every province, the SCs and STs should be provided with sufficient educational facilities.

 Other Events of this day in History

1-  On 24 September 2014, the Mars Orbiter Mission reached the space probe of Mars. It was launched on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation.

2-  On 24 September 1861, Bhikaiji Rustom Cama who was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, was born.

3 – On 24 September 2002, the Akshardham Temple of Gandhinagar was attacked by terrorists. Almost 30 people lost their lives and 80 were injured. The responsibility of this attack was taken by Lashkar-e-Taiba. 

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