Consider the following statements:
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
- The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced in 1918, did not propose granting Indian women the right to vote. Despite this, suffragists actively campaigned for women’s political empowerment and highlighted their struggle in Stri Dharma, urging support for their cause as part of the anti-colonial movement against Britain. The All India Women’s Deputation, led by Sarojini Naidu, also advocated for women’s voting rights, but the Government of India Act, 1919, ultimately denied women the right to vote. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
- However, the Government of India Act, 1935, made significant progress in expanding voting rights, with twenty-nine million men and six million women becoming eligible to vote. Women were allowed to contest from general seats and were also allocated seats reserved for them on a communal basis. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
