question_answer

  Why did political leaders differ sharply over the question of separate electorates?    

Answer:

                  Political leaders differed, sharply over the question of separate electorates because (i) The Nationalist Congress leaders saw in it the seeds of 'Divide and Rule', which  would weaken the National Movement. (ii) The Muslim leaders pretended that their interest could only be protected in a Muslim state and in a Hindu majority state they would be at the mercy of the Hindus. (iii) Dr BR Ambedkar, the leader of the depressed classes, was in favour of separate electorates, but Gandhiji believed that separate electorate for Dalits would slow down the process of their integration into society. Ambedkar later accepted Gandhiji position and signed 'Poona Pact'.