Morley-Minto Reforms

Introduction

Morley-Minto Reforms was an act passed by the British government in 1909. The agenda of this reforms is to involve Indian people in the legislative department. Major works of these reforms were drafted by two Britishers named John Morley, the secretary and Lord Minto, the viceroy, of the State of British India.

Morley-Minto Reforms

Morley-Minto Reforms was the revised version of the Indian act, got amended in 1861 and 1892, respectively. Later, the act was introduced in India in 1909. The act gave permission for the Indian people to be involved in legislative councils but again only to the limited extent. Victoria, the Queen of England then, proclaimed saying that this act has levelled Indian people and Britishers respect-wise.

Morley-Minto Reforms: Historical Background

Indian act was introduced by the Britishers in 1861 and 1862 and the regulations of the acts didn’t give any satisfaction to Indian people. Congress was the most powerful party against the Britishers and their demands did not fulfil in these acts.

The big revolt in Bengal happened because of the proposal of divisions between the two Bengals. Lord Curzon announced that Bengal was going to be divided into two different parts in the year 1905. All the revolts and unfulfilled expectations indicated the Britishers to make some changes in Indian acts.

The national congress party of India demanded an independent government in India. The congress party was divided into two parts one part contained moderate thoughts in the party. The other part of the Congress had radical leaders and they pushed the Britishers with confrontational tactics.

Indian National Congress demanded home rule in the year 1906. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a member of INC who went to meet Morley Minto in England to inform him about their demands. Morley Minto also received the same demand from Simla Deputation in the year 1906. The objective of this gathering is to succeed in entering the good books of Raj concerning their community and their interests at large.

They demanded different elections for different religion people like, and they recommended Aga Khan as a leader from the Muslim religion. John Morley had a responsibility to improve the governance system because he was part of India's Liberal government. The act of 1909 was passed to please the Congress and the party of The Muslim religious people, and Indian people.

Morley-Minto Reforms: Key Provisions

The number of legislative councils increased at provisional and federal levels was the first thing of the act. The Central Legislative Council raised the bar by raising the members to a tally from 16 to 60. The people from Bombay, Bengal, and Madras joined the councils of Legislative adding up to 50 members per council.

Few states like Assam, Punjab, and Burma, 30 people could join this council. The member was chosen from each state with the help of local elections and then the elected member went to the main legislative council. The individual who won the election in college, trade organizations, property owners, and chambers of commerce were the first preference for the legislative councils. The non-official members were prioritized for provisional council.

The provincial councils were segregated into 3 parts, namely, general, special and chambers of commerce. A huge part of non-elected members was nominated to the provisional councils and there were some non-official members also nominated.

The Indian people first got permission to be a member of the Imperial legislative council with the help of the act. The demand of the Muslim League to make a separate election for them was also granted by the government with the help of the act.

The members of the councils could discuss the resolutions and budgets of the country. The Indian people who were part of the council were not allowed to ask about policies and relations with foreign countries. Satyendra P Sinha was the first member of the executive council under the viceroy and Morley Minto appointed him. Two people from India were nominated as secretary of the country.

Morley-Minto Reforms: Groups

Provisional and federal council’s people were divided into four different parts. The ex- officers of the councils became the governor-general and executive councils members were one part of the legislative council.

The Governor-general nominated the council's members and government officers nominated by the governors-generaL. The Governor-general could nominate the officers who were not a part of the government.

Morley-Minto Reforms: Significance

The Morley-Minto act was the forward step where Indian people were also a part of the legislative councils. The permission for the election in a separate way gave people the opportunity to criticise executives directly. The act also gave the independence of the people to give suggestions for a good administrator for the country.

Morley-Minto Reforms: Shortcomings

The Morley-Minto act made distances different religions people in the country. The Britishers, not by the country’s people, controlled the major power and functions. The non-official members were majorly nominated for the provisional councils and the members were unable to be a part of the elections.

Conclusion

Morley-Minto reforms were introduced in India in 1909 and Indian people were made a part of the legislative council with the help of the act. The Britishers controlled the Veto power and major functions of the government. The Indian people who were part of the council were allowed to discuss the system of budgets but they were unable to change any system. The act directly affected the religions of the country.

FAQs

Qns 1. What was the main objective of The Morley-Minto Reform?

Ans. The main objective of the act was to apply the principle of election for membership in local and imperial legislative councils. The act helped the people to participate in the governmental works of India.

Qns 2. What was the reason behind the failure of the Morley-Minto Reforms?

Ans. The Congress party started a revolt against the act because it gave Muslims more power. The Congress party had an objection against the separate election system.

Qns 3. Who was called the father of the communal electorate?

Ans. Morley Minto was popularly known as the father of the Communal electorate. The separate voting system for Muslims in 1909 was possible for him.