Merits & Demerits of the Indian Councils Act of 1909(Minto Morley Reforms)

Merits of the Indian Councils Act of 1909(Minto Morley Reforms)

• It effectively allowed the election of Indians to the various legislative councils in India for the first time, though previously some Indians had been appointed to legislative councils.
• The introduction of the electoral principle laid the groundwork for a parliamentary system even though this was contrary to the intent of Morley.

Demerits of the Indian Councils Act of 1909(Minto Morley Reforms)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                . Lord Morley made it clear that colonial self-government (as demanded by the Congress) was not              suitable for India, and he was against introduction of parliamentary or responsible government in              India                                                                                                                                                               .The position of the Governor- General remained unchanged and his veto power remained undiluted

• Narrow franchises and indirect elections allowed the entry of members in an undemocratic manner
• Limited powers of the Legislative Councils ushered a complete unaccountable government.
• The communal electorate system created rifts in society
• The reforms of 1909 gave to the people of the country a shadow rather than substance. The people had demanded self-government but what they were given was ‘benevolent despotism