Q. What was the main aim of the Poona Pact?
(a) To promote Hindu-Muslim unity.
(b) To review the working of governance.
(c) To stop privileges given of the princes.
(d) To give representation to the lower castes.
Ans: (d) To give representation to the lower castes.
Explanation: The main aim of the Poona Pact was (d) to give representation to the lower castes.
The Poona Pact was an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on September 24, 1932, following the Communal Award announced by the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. The Communal Award granted separate electorates for the depressed classes (now known as Scheduled Castes) in British India.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who represented the depressed classes, had originally supported separate electorates as a means to ensure political representation for the marginalized communities. However, Mahatma Gandhi was opposed to the idea of separate electorates, as he believed it would further divide the Indian society along caste lines.
To resolve the issue and prevent a potential division within the Indian society, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar reached a consensus known as the Poona Pact. According to the pact, the system of separate electorates for the depressed classes was replaced with reserved seats in the legislative bodies. This ensured that the lower castes would have political representation without completely segregating them from the rest of the population.
The Poona Pact aimed to provide representation to the lower castes and secure their political rights within the framework of a united India.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d) to give representation to the lower castes.
