Why is it called Morley-Minto reform?
Named after Viceroy Lord Minto and Secretary of State John Morley, the act introduced elections to legislative councils and admitted Indians to councils of the Secretary of State for India, the viceroy, and to the executive councils of Bombay and Madras states.
Indian Council Act of 1909 is also known as Morley- Minto Reform. It was instituted to placate the Moderates (Congress) and introduce separate electorates on the basis of religion.
Morley-Minto Reforms is one of the most notable ordinances that have been passed by the British Parliament so far. It was named after the then Secretary of State for India, Lord Morley, and the then Viceroy of India, Lord Minto. Both of them introduced various absolute and supreme modifications in the system.
Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 was primarily aimed at extending Provincial Assemblies. The number of elected members in the Imperial Legislative Council and Provincial Legislative Councils was increased.
The Morley-Minto Reforms, sometimes referred to as the Indian Councils Act (1909), was created by John Morley, the secretary of state for India from 1905 to 1910.
Ans: The Indian national Congress opposed Morley Minto Reforms due to a number of reasons. One of the most important reasons was the separate electorate system. Lord Minto had accepted the Muslim's demand for separate electorate system.
(i) The Morley Minto Reforms were introduced during the Indian council's Act. (ii) The Act declared a system of separate electorates and the inclusion of more councils. (iii) The Muslims were given separate constituencies to contest elections.
Morley – Minto Reforms: Criticism
The major defect of the reform was the introduction of separate electorates to the Muslims. This created rupture in Hindu – Muslim unity and paved way for the partition of the country.
This was meant to create disunity between Hindus and Muslims. Some seats in the councils were reserved for Muslims to be elected by Muslim voters. By this, the British hoped to cut off Muslims from the nationalist movement by treating them apart from the rest of the nation.
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act 1909 or Morley-Minto Reforms or Minto-Morley Reformswas passed by British Parliament in 1909 in an attempt to widen the scope of legislative councils, placate the demands of moderates in Indian National Congress and to increase the participation of Indians the governance.
Which of the following statement regarding Morley-Minto reforms is not correct?
Government of India Act, 1919 granted franchise to a limited number of people on the basis of property, tax, or education. Hence, Option 3 is NOT correct.