The Poona Pact, also known as the Gandhi-Ambedkar Pact, was a political agreement that was reached between Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar in 1932. The pact was an attempt to resolve a longstanding dispute between the Indian National Congress, the main political party of the Indian independence movement, and the Dalit (formerly known as “untouchable”) community, a marginalized and oppressed group in Indian society.
The dispute arose from the decision of the British government to grant separate electorates for the Dalit community under the Communal Award of 1932. The Communal Award was a political settlement that was intended to give the Dalit community a greater voice in the Indian political system. However, the Indian National Congress opposed the Communal Award, arguing that it would divide the Indian people and create further divisions and tensions.
Gandhi, who was a leader of the Indian National Congress, opposed the Communal Award and began a fast-unto-death to protest the decision. Ambedkar, who was a leader of the Dalit community and an advocate for the rights of the Dalits, argued that the Communal Award was necessary to protect the rights of the Dalits and to give them a greater voice in the political process.
The Poona Pact was an attempt to resolve the dispute between Gandhi and Ambedkar. Under the terms of the pact, the Dalit community agreed to give up its demand for separate electorates and to accept joint electorates with the rest of the Indian population. In return, Gandhi and the Indian National Congress agreed to support affirmative action policies to improve the status and opportunities of the Dalit community.
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