Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the v

Question

Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which statements support this assertion? 1. Reforms retained and extended separate electorates. 2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism. 3. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.

Accepted Answer

All three statements support the assertion. The 1919 Reforms extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans (beyond Muslims). This institutionalized communal representation, fragmented Indian nationalism as a "Divide and Rule" strategy, and incentivized minority groups to organize politically around communal identities to secure concessions.