The Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909

Background

Both Secretary of State, John Morley, and the Viceroy, Lord Minto, were convinced that the Indians’ demand for an increased share in the government of their country was fully justified. They worked together to draw up a series of reforms which were passed by the British parliament in 1909 as the Indian Councils Act. They are, however, usually referred to as the Morley-Minto Reforms.

Reforms

• The Imperial Council was increased to 60 members by adding more non-official members. However, the British retained control by ensuring that the majority of members were official.

• The Central Executive Council was increased by adding 60 members. The Council could discuss matters of importance and advise on government policies, including the budget.

• Provincial Councils were also increased to 50 members in the larger provinces and 30 in the smaller provinces.

• Muslim representatives to the Councils were elected by a separate Muslim-only electorate.

Why did the Indians reject these?

• The Morley-Minto Reforms increased the numbers of Indians sitting on the Councils and therefore appeared to give the local population a greater say in how the country was run. Yet, it must be remembered that the Councils had no real power. Their functions were purely advisory. The British did not intend that the locals should have the power to change the government policy. The Hindus wanted more responsibility which the government was not prepared to give. This annoyed the Hindus who were looking towards self-rule.

• The British accepted the right of Muslims to have separate electorates which also annoyed the Hindus who saw it as a concession too far. The Hindus argued that this was undemocratic and, for the next 25 years, the Indian National Congress was to pass an annual resolution calling for an end to separate electorates. However, the Congress failed to understand what the British were trying to do. The British had no desire to establish a democracy in India. Instead, they wanted to make as few concessions as were necessary to bring stability.

• Again self-rule was the goal for the whole country with the Hindus as a dominant force. The Hindus also resented the relative high position of Muslims in the Councils despite their much smaller numbers.

• The Hindus wanted the Partition of Bengal to be reversed. Hindus thought that if they would oppose these reforms there would be a chance of reversal. Since the Muslims were getting more advantages from partition, it pinched the Hindus a lot, so they tried every possible way to reverse that partition. They found this a very good chance to create a pressure on the British by opposing it which will pressurize them to reverse the partition. So, Congress and the Hindu community rejected the reforms.

Importance

• The importance of the Councils, which were enlarged, was to ensure that Indian legislators were given a chance to express their opinions.

• The British also accepted the right of the Muslim community to have a separate electorate. This was a major breakthrough between British-Muslim relations. It gave national identity to the Muslims and also provided protection to Muslim community.

• Greater say of Indians in government affairs by the expansion of central and provincial councils. Also, as more non-official members were added in the Councils, which were not holding positions in the government, created a chance to add more members in the councils in future.

• The British were keen to allow the Indians to express their opinions and they wanted to know what the Indians had to say.