While opposing the Women's Reservation Bill, Asaduddin Owaisi reached the Constituent Assembly and accused Nehru-Patel that if they had not cheated, Muslims would have had adequate representation in the Parliament today. What is its reality? In fact, by the resolution of the Constituent Assembly on 27 August 1947, the separate electoral system which was in operation during the British era ended. In the old system, separate constituencies were reserved for Muslims. The country, going through the pain of partition, was saddened by the fact that the dual electoral system provided fertilizer and water to the poisonous vine of separatism and communalism and as a result the country got divided into two parts. The question before the Advisory Committee on Minority Rights headed by Sardar Patel was whether the dual system of elections should continue or it should be combined.
The committee was of the opinion with an overwhelming majority that the dual election system had increased communalism to a dangerous extent and in the changed circumstances, it is necessary to get rid of it immediately in the national interest and to conduct all the elections to the Central and Provincial Assemblies in a combined manner. Another resolution related to this was passed by the Constituent Assembly, under which reservation was made for the Scheduled Castes but reservation for minorities ended. Sardar Patel had described this proposal as the result of coordination of views of minorities and majority.
Sad results, independent India needed relief
Separate electoral system came into existence in 1909. In the hope of Muslim support, Congress also supported it in 1916. This is known as Lucknow Agreement. The Communal Award of 1932 and the India Act of 1935 gave it further expansion. Its results proved tragic. After independence, getting rid of it was one of the priorities of the country. This incident is mentioned in detail in senior journalist Ram Bahadur Rai's famous book, "Indian Constitution: The Untold Story".
After the partition, new representatives Tajammul Hussain and Begum Ajaz Rasool were included in the advisory committee. Tajammul Hussain was among those leaders of the Muslim League who decided to stay in India. In the very first meeting of the advisory committee, Tajammul Hussain was also among those who proposed to end the reservation for minorities. Dr. Ambedkar was of the opinion that, since it has not been removed in the draft of the Constitution, it should continue. But committee chairman Sardar Patel decided that the committee could reconsider it. He believed that there should be a consensus among minorities on this question.
Differences among Muslims on the question of reservation
There were deep differences among the Muslim members on the question of reservation. The faction led by Maulana Azad was in favor of continuing the reservation. Maulana Hafizur Rahman was the spokesperson of this group. On the other hand, Tajammul Hussain was an attacker on the supporters of reservation. He said, “Forget the past and help build a secular state.” Begum Ejaz Rasool was blunt. He said, “Pakistan has been formed. The interests of the Muslims in India demand that they should not remain isolated but should develop the idea of living in the mainstream of India, hence it is better to give up the demand for reservation.” Patel generally remained silent during the debate. After Begum's speech, he said that Muslim representatives are still of two minds on this question. Some more time should be given for consensus.
Only 3 votes in favor of reservation for minorities
This issue came up again in the meeting of 11 May 1949. The representatives of the nationalist faction led by Maulana Azad were silent in this meeting. “Indian Constitution: The Untold Story” quotes KM Munshi as saying, “I later learned that Maulana Azad had given instructions not to insist on reservation.” Tajammul Hasan had gone abroad. Begum Ejaz Rasool was hesitant in speaking. She spoke on Patel's request. Begum demanded abolition of reservation. Patel expressed happiness that the Muslim community has expressed consensus for the joint constituency. Finally Christian representative H.C. Mukherjee proposed that there was no need for reservation for minorities. On May 26, 1949, that proposal was passed by fifty-eight votes against three, thereby ending the reservation for minorities and making arrangements for reservation for the Scheduled Castes.
God bless you with whatever you get, but don't forget the sufferings of poor Muslims.
S. of Madras. Nagappa had said on this occasion, “The problem which was created by the British in two centuries, Sardar solved it in two years. The British spread division. The committee gave the formula for unity. “HC Mukherjee said that if we want a non-communal state and a single nation, we cannot grant political protection to minorities on the basis of religion. Begum Ajaz Rasool termed Muslim League's Mohammad Ismail's suggestion of continuing separate electorates as futile.
Patel had said on this occasion, “The notion which was in your mind till now and according to which you were walking till now, you should remove it forever. Now it is an independent country. Here you are shaping the future of the country as per your wish. So please forget the past. Try to forget it. If it is impossible for you to do so, then it is better for you to go to whatever place you feel is the best place according to your thoughts. I do not want to allow any further harm to the poor Muslim people, who have suffered a lot. Whatever your claim about getting a separate state and territory for yourself, I have nothing to say about it. May God bless you for whatever you have achieved. But please do not forget how much suffering the poor Muslim people have endured.”
The struggle was going on for a long time in Nehru's heart and mind.
Pandit Nehru accepted this proposal with joy and said, “I felt that this had removed a major problem of mine. There was a struggle going on in my heart and mind for a long time against having separate elections or any other system of separation in the political field. My colleague Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Patel has presented a truly historic proposal. What this resolution means is that we are not only going to give up that which is bad, but we are going to end it forever and with all our might we are going to walk on a path which will be beneficial for the nation. We consider it basically good for each category. This work is right not only from the point of view of nationalism, but also from the interest of every different class or you can say that this work is right for the interest of all, majority and minority.
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