Modern History : Post-Civil Disobedience Movement (1935-1939)
Consider the following statements:
Some of the main features of the Government of India Act, 1935 were the:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Option (b):
The Government of India Act, 1935, was a pivotal constitutional reform. Statement 1 is correct because the Act abolished the system of diarchy (dual rule) at the provincial level and introduced 'Provincial Autonomy'. This granted provinces greater self-governance, with ministers responsible to the provincial legislature. Diarchy was, however, introduced at the Centre.
Statement 2 is also correct. The Act conferred significant powers upon the Governors of the provinces. They retained the authority to veto legislative actions passed by the provincial assemblies, promulgate ordinances, and legislate independently in specific discretionary or emergency situations, thus maintaining substantial control over provincial administration.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Government of India Act, 1935, did not abolish the principle of communal representation. Instead, it extended the system of separate electorates to include Scheduled Castes (Depressed Classes), women, and labour (workers), in addition to the existing communities like Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans. This measure expanded and solidified communal divisions rather than abolishing them.
Given that Statement 3 is incorrect, options (c) and (d) are invalid as they include it. Option (a) is incorrect because it only includes statement 1, while statement 2 is also a correct feature of the Act.