The Indian Councils Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, was enacted by the British Parliament with the objective of increasing Indian participation in the governance of British India. It was a revision of the earlier Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892. The act introduced several significant changes, including the concept of a separate electorate.

• The act was named after John Morley, the Secretary of State for India from 1905 to 1910, who played a key role in formulating this legislation. The Morley-Minto Reforms aimed to address the growing demands for Indian representation and political rights.
• One of the notable provisions of the Indian Councils Act of 1909 was the introduction of separate electorates. This meant that seats in legislative councils were reserved for specific religious and communal groups, ensuring representation for different communities. This provision aimed to give minorities a voice in the legislative process.
• The act also expanded the size of legislative councils and increased the number of elected Indian members. It granted some additional powers and responsibilities to the legislative councils, although the ultimate authority still rested with the British government.
• Overall, the Indian Councils Act of 1909, or the Morley-Minto Reforms, represented a significant step in the direction of Indian political representation and participation in British India's governance. It introduced the concept of separate electorates and increased Indian involvement in the legislative process. However, it was a reform measure that fell short of meeting the broader demands for self-governance and complete political freedom.

Morley–Minto Reforms 1909 - Historical Background

The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 were enacted in response to various historical factors and demands from different quarters. The Indian Councils Act of 1892 did not satisfy the reasonable expectations of the Indian National Congress (INC), prompting the need for further reforms.

• The partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon caused widespread protests and resistance in the region. This event highlighted the necessity for improvements in the Indian government system to address the prevailing situation.
• The INC, which had previously advocated for moderate approaches, witnessed the rise of radical leaders who adopted more confrontational tactics and demanded greater autonomy and self-government for India. In 1906, the INC officially called for home rule for the first time, reflecting the changing aspirations of its leaders.
• In England, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a prominent Indian nationalist, met with John Morley, a member of the Liberal government, to emphasize the need for reforms in India. Additionally, the Simla Deputation, led by Aga Khan, met with Lord Minto in 1906 and presented a proposal for a separate electorate for Muslims.
• John Morley himself was committed to improving governance in India and took an active role in formulating the reforms. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 aimed to garner support from the Moderates within the INC and Muslims by addressing some of their demands.
• Overall, the historical backdrop leading to the Morley-Minto Reforms included the dissatisfaction with the previous council acts, the consequences of the Bengal partition, the shift in tactics and demands of the INC, and the advocacy for reforms by Indian leaders and British policymakers like Gokhale and Morley. The act was an attempt to appease and gain support from the Moderates and Muslims, while also addressing some of the broader demands for greater Indian participation in governance.

Morley–Minto Reforms 1909 - Objective

The primary objective of the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 was to introduce the electoral principle to membership in India's imperial and local legislative councils. This reform aimed to increase the participation of Indians in the governance of British India. The concept of separate electorates was introduced, providing a mechanism for the representation of different communities, particularly the Muslim community, in the legislative councils. By implementing the electoral principle, the reforms sought to grant Indians a greater say in the political decision-making process and increase their involvement in the governance of the country.

Morley–Minto Reforms 1909 - Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 were as follows:

• Expansion of legislative councils: The size of the legislative councils at both the federal and provincial levels was increased.
• Electoral Eligibility: Members of the Central Legislative Council could be individuals between the ages of 16 and 60.
• Increased representation: The Legislative Councils of Bengal, Madras, Bombay, and the United Provinces had 50 members each, while the Legislative Councils of Punjab, Burma, and Assam had 30 members each.
• Indirect elections: Members of the provincial legislative councils were chosen by local governments through an electoral college, which in turn elected members of the Central Legislative Council.
• Communal representation: Muslims were given separate electorates, where only Muslims could vote for their representatives. This introduced the concept of communal representation.
• Budget discussions and resolutions: Members of the legislative councils could debate the budget, propose resolutions, and discuss important issues concerning the general population. They were also allowed to inquire about relevant topics.
• Limitations on discussion: Foreign policy and relations with princely states were not open for discussion in the legislative councils.
• Indian representation: Satyendra P Sinha became the first Indian member of the Viceroy's Executive Council, and two Indians were added to the Secretary of State's Council on Indian Affairs.
• Classification of council members: Council members were classified into four groups, including ex officio members of the executive council and the Governor-General, members nominated by the Governor-General (including government officials), and non-government officials nominated by the Governor-General.
• Representation by various groups: Various groups of Indians were given the right to elect representatives to the legislative councils.
• These provisions aimed to increase Indian participation in the legislative process and provide representation to different communities, particularly Muslims, through separate electorates.
• The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 had both significance and limitations.

Significance:

• Forward step towards responsible association: The reforms allowed elected Indians to be associated with the administration, providing them with an opportunity to criticize the executives and make suggestions for better governance.
• Increased political participation: The introduction of separate electorates and communal representation gave Muslims a distinct political platform. It marked the beginning of a more organized and influential political presence for the Muslim community.

Defects:

• Communal divide: The creation of separate constituencies based on religion intensified communalism, leading to the polarization of Hindus and Muslims in Indian politics. This division had long-lasting consequences for the country's political dynamics.
• Limited powers and functions: Although the size of the councils was expanded, their functions and powers remained limited. The reforms did not grant significant decision-making authority to the elected members, and the Governor-General's veto power was unaffected.
• Impact of nominated members: Despite having a non-official majority in the Provincial Councils, the influence of the elected members was diminished by the presence of nominated members. The non-official majority could be overridden by the decisions of these nominated members.
• Limited effectiveness in budget matters: While members were allowed to discuss the budget, their ability to bring about substantial changes to it was restricted. The resolutions passed by the councils were more like recommendations to the government and did not have a binding effect.
• Diversion from larger issues: The focus on communal representation and separate electorates shifted attention away from broader political and economic challenges that affected all Indians, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
• Overall, while the Morley-Minto Reforms represented a significant development in Indian political history by increasing Indian participation, they also had inherent flaws and limitations that contributed to the growth of communalism and failed to address critical issues affecting the nation as a whole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909, also known as the Indian Councils Act of 1909, marked an important milestone in India's constitutional and political history. These reforms aimed to increase Indian participation in the governance of British India by introducing the electoral principle to membership in legislative councils. The reforms provided Indian representation in various levels of government, including the legislature and executive councils. The separate electorates for Muslims and the inclusion of elected members allowed for a more diverse and inclusive political landscape. However, the reforms also had limitations, such as the exacerbation of communal divisions and the limited powers and functions of the legislative councils. Overall, the Morley-Minto Reforms played a significant role in shaping India's political landscape and advancing the concept of Indian representation in the colonial administration.