Mahatma Gandhi undertook a fast unto death in September 1932 primarily to protest the British government's decision to support a new Indian Constitution that would separate the Indian electorate by caste. He viewed this proposal, known as the Communal Award, as a divisive measure designed to perpetuate social stratification and undermine the unity of Indian society, particularly concerning the 'depressed classes' (Dalits).
Background to the Fast: The Communal Award
In August 1932, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award, which aimed to grant separate electorates for various minority communities in British India, including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans. Crucially, it also proposed separate electorates for the 'depressed classes.' This meant that members of these groups would vote for their own representatives, separate from the general Hindu electorate.
Gandhi, who was imprisoned at Yerwada Jail in Poona (now Pune) at the time, saw this as a fundamental attack on India's social fabric. He believed that separate electorates for the 'depressed classes' would permanently segregate them from the Hindu community, hindering efforts for social reform and integration. He argued that while special protection for these communities was necessary, political segregation would only worsen their plight by creating permanent divisions.
Gandhi's Protest and Its Outcome
To challenge this divisive policy, Mahatma Gandhi declared his intention to undertake a "fast unto death" starting on September 20, 1932. His objective was to compel the British government to withdraw the provision of separate electorates for the depressed classes and to galvanize Indian leaders into finding an alternative solution that preserved unity.
The fast garnered widespread attention and put immense pressure on both the British government and Indian political leaders. After just six days of the fast, intensive negotiations between leaders like B.R. Ambedkar (who represented the depressed classes), Madan Mohan Malaviya, Rajendra Prasad, and others led to an alternative proposal.
This culminated in the Poona Pact, an agreement signed on September 24, 1932. The pact effectively abolished separate electorates for the depressed classes. Instead, it provided for reserved seats for them within the general electorate, with a larger number of seats than initially offered by the Communal Award. This significant compromise allowed for political representation while maintaining the principle of a unified electorate.
Upon the British government's acceptance of the Poona Pact's terms, which superseded the Communal Award's provision for separate electorates for the depressed classes, Mahatma Gandhi was able to break his fast on September 26, 1932.
Here's a summary of the key facts:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date Initiated | September 20, 1932 |
| Duration | 6 days |
| Primary Reason | To protest the British proposal for separate electorates for the 'depressed classes' (Dalits) in the new Indian Constitution. |
| Outcome | British government accepted the Poona Pact, an alternate proposal that replaced separate electorates with reserved seats. Gandhi broke his fast. |
Significance of the Fast
Gandhi's 1932 fast unto death was a powerful demonstration of his commitment to social unity and equality. It highlighted the moral force of non-violent resistance and successfully averted a policy that he believed would have deeply and permanently fragmented Indian society along caste lines. The Poona Pact, a direct result of the fast, became a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence, underscoring the importance of internal social reform alongside political freedom.
