The Communal Award/ Mac Donald Award (Aug. 16, 1932)

                      While Gandhi was arrested on his return from London after the Second Round Table Conference; British Prime Minister Ramsay Mac Donald announced his Award on communal representation in Aug. 16, 1932. Besides containing provisions for representation of Muslims, Sikhs and Europeans, it envisaged communal representation of Depressed Classes also.

                        Gandhi was deeply grieved by this and underwent a fast in protest against this Award since it aimed to divide India on a communal basis.

                       While many political Indians saw the rats as a diversion from the political movement, all were deeply concerned and emotionally shaken.

                      Almost everywhere in India mass meetings took place, political leaders of different persuasions, like Madan Mohan Malviya, B.R. Ambedkar and M.C. Raja became active. In the end the succeeded in hammering out an agreement, known as the Poona Pact.

Poona Pact/Gandhi –Ambedkar Pact (Sep. 25, 1932)

                         As discussed, the communal Award created immense dissatisfaction among Hindus. Gandhi who was on fast in protest staked his life to get the Award repudiated.

                         According to the pact, the idea of separate electorate for the Depressed Classes was abandoned but seats reserved for them in the provincial legislature were inversed from 71 in the Award to 147, and in the central legislature were increased from 71 in the Award to 147 and in the central legislature to 18% of the total.

                         Ultimately the fast ended with the Pona Pact which annulled the Award. The leaders of the various groups and parties among Hindus, and B.R. Ambedkar on behalf of the harijans signed the pact.

                       The Poona Pact between caste Hindus and the Depressed Classes agreed upon a joint electorate.    

The Third Round Table Conference (Nov.17-Dec. 24, 1932)

                     It was held in 1932 but again proved fruitless since the national leaders were in prison.