Write a short note on: Poona …

The Poona Pact refers to an agreement between B. R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of depressed classes and caste Hindu leaders on the reservation of electoral seats for the depressed classes in the legislature of British India government. Contrary to popular belief, Mahatma Gandhi was not involved in signing the pact. It was made on 24 September 1932 at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune, India. It was signed by B.R Ambedkar on behalf of the depressed classes and Madan Mohan Malviya on behalf of the Caste Hindus as a means to end the fast that Gandhi was undertaking in jail as a protest against the decision by British prime minister Ramsay MacDonald to give separate electorates to depressed classes for the election of members of provincial legislative assemblies in British India. They finally agreed upon 148 electoral seats.