Poona Pact at 93: How Ambedkar Secured Political Voice for India’s Marginalized

On September 24, 1932, a historic agreement called the Poona Pact was signed in Yerwada Central Jail, Pune. This agreement between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi changed the future for India’s marginalized communities, especially the depressed classes (now called Scheduled Castes). Today, 93 years later, Bahujan leaders celebrate this day, remembering Ambedkar’s smart moves that gave these communities a stronger voice in Indian politics. This report explains the Poona Pact, why it matters, and how it became the foundation for India’s reservation system.

What Led to the Poona Pact?

In the early 1900s, society was deeply divided by caste. The depressed classes faced discrimination, poverty, and exclusion from politics. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a brilliant leader from the depressed classes, worked hard to give his community rights and respect. He believed they needed separate electorates, special voting rights where only depressed classes could choose their own leaders, to ensure their voices were heard.

In August 1932, the British announced the Communal Award, which gave separate electorates to the depressed classes with 71 seats in provincial legislatures. Ambedkar supported this, seeing it as a way to empower his community. But Mahatma Gandhi, who was in jail, opposed it. He believed separate electorates would divide Hindus and weaken India’s fight for freedom. To protest, Gandhi started a “fast unto death” on September 20, 1932, putting pressure on Ambedkar to change his stand.

On September 24, 1932, Ambedkar showed his strength and wisdom. Gandhi’s fast created a tense situation, his health was failing, and there was fear of riots. Many blamed Ambedkar, but he refused to give in easily. He said he wouldn’t let anyone act like a “Grand Moghul” and force him to agree. Instead, Ambedkar used the situation to negotiate a better deal for his community.

After days of talks in Pune and Bombay with leaders like Madan Mohan Malaviya and Tej Bahadur Sapru, Ambedkar signed the Poona Pact. He gave up separate electorates but got something bigger: 148 reserved seats for the depressed classes in provincial legislatures, more than double the 71 seats offered by the British. This was a huge win, ensuring the depressed classes had a place in politics.

What Was in the Poona Pact?

The Poona Pact replaced separate electorates with joint electorates, where everyone voted together, but it included special rules to protect the depressed classes:

• More Reserved Seats: The depressed classes got 148 seats in provincial legislatures (e.g., 30 in Madras, 30 in Bengal, 20 in United Provinces).

• Central Legislature: 18% of general seats were reserved for them.

• Primary Elections: Depressed class voters could choose four candidates per seat, and then everyone voted to pick the winner.

• Education and Jobs: The pact promised fair access to schools and government jobs for the depressed classes.

• Time Limit: The system would last 10 years, with an option to extend.

These rules made sure the depressed classes had a stronger political voice while staying part of the Hindu electorate.

Why Is the Poona Pact Important for Reservations?

The Poona Pact is a big reason why India has its reservation system today, the largest of its kind in the world. Here’s why it matters:

1. The pact’s 148 reserved seats set the stage for reserving seats in politics for Scheduled Castes (SCs). This idea carried into the Indian Constitution, which Ambedkar helped write. Articles 330 to 342 reserve seats in Parliament and state legislatures for SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

2. Ambedkar made sure the depressed classes couldn’t be ignored in politics. By doubling the seats, he forced upper-caste leaders to include them in discussions, giving them power they never had before.

3. The pact’s focus on education and jobs led to broader reservation policies. Later, reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) through the Mandal Commission (1980) built on Ambedkar’s work. Today, reservations help millions of SCs, STs, and OBCs access education, jobs, and political roles.

4. The pact was a practical step to fight caste discrimination. It gave the depressed classes a way to represent themselves and demand their rights, even if it wasn’t perfect.

Some people think Ambedkar was forced into the Poona Pact because of Gandhi’s fast. But Bahujan leaders today, like Prakash Ambedkar, remind us that Ambedkar was a master strategist. He knew upper-caste leaders wouldn’t easily agree to separate electorates, so he used the negotiations to get more seats and protections. He turned a tough situation into a victory, ensuring the depressed classes had a say in India’s future.

Ambedkar wasn’t happy with everything in the pact, he later said it limited the depressed classes’ independence. But his work on that day made sure no one could ignore their rights. As one activist put it, “Babasaheb didn’t bend; he built a foundation for our fight.”

The Poona Pact’s impact lives on. It led to the 1935 Government of India Act, which included its reservation rules. When India became independent, it influenced the Indian Constitution, where Ambedkar, as chairman of the Drafting Committee, enshrined reservations for SCs and STs (Articles 330–342). While OBC reservations emerged later via the Mandal Commission (1980), the pact's framework for SCs set a global precedent for affirmative action.

Critics argue it trapped Dalits in a Hindu-majority electorate, diluting autonomy. Ambedkar later called it a "deadly blow" to political independence. Yet, it politicized caste issues, forcing inclusion and inspiring movements for SC, ST, and OBC rights. Today, India's reservation system—covering education, jobs, and politics—is the world's largest, benefiting millions.

Today, Bahujan leaders celebrate the Poona Pact as Ambedkar’s victory over upper-caste resistance. Social media posts call it a “strategic triumph,” while others share how it changed lives by opening doors to education and jobs. For example, reserved seats have helped thousands of SC and ST leaders become MLAs, MPs, and ministers, shaping laws for equality.

Nagsen Sonre, National President of BANAE states, " Through Poona Pact Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar saved lives of our millions of people. There could have been genocide of untouchables if Babasaheb had not agreed for the pact and Gandhi died in fast unto death. Now time has come to demand scrapping Poona Pact and restoration of independent electorate with right of two votes ,one for reserve and another for general candidate. It could have revolutionised the politics in India."

The Poona Pact wasn’t perfect. Some, including Ambedkar, felt joint electorates made it harder for the depressed classes to choose independent leaders, as upper-caste voters had influence. Critics say it tied Dalits to Hindu-majority politics, limiting their freedom. Still, its benefits, more seats and a political voice, were undeniable steps forward.