Poona Pact (1932) – UPSC Notes

Poona Pact (1932) 📅 Date: September 24, 1932 📍 Place: Yerawada Central Jail, Poona 🤝 Agreement Between: Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Background of the Poona Pact British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald introduced the "Communal Award" (August 1932). It granted separate electorates for Dalits (Depressed Classes) , meaning Dalits would vote separately from the rest of Hindu society. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar supported this as it ensured political representation for Dalits. Gandhiji opposed the separate electorates because he believed it would divide Hindus permanently . Gandhiji went on a fast-unto-death in Yerawada Jail (Pune) to protest the separate electorates. This created pressure on Ambedkar and other Dalit leaders to reach a compromise. Main Provisions of the Poona Pact ✔️ Separate electorates for Dalits were abolished. ✔️ Dalits got more reserved seats in legislatures: The Communal Award had given 71 seats , but after the pact, Dalits got 148 seats in provincial legislatures. ✔️ D…