All India Muslim League

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On 1 October 1906, a 35-member delegation of the Muslim elite sections of the community mostly associated with Aligarh movement gathered at Shimla under the leadership of Aga Khan to present an address to Lord Minto, the viceroy.
They demanded proportionate representation of Muslims in government jobs, appointment of Muslim judges in High Courts and members in Viceroy’s council, etc.
Though the Shimla deputation failed to obtain any positive commitment from the Viceroy, it worked as a catalyst for the foundation of the All India Muslim League (AIML).
Muslim League was established under Nawab Salim Ullakhan on December 30, 1906.
The League supported the partition of Bengal, demanded separate electorates for Muslims, and pressed for safeguards for Muslims in Government Service.

To promote among the Muslims of India feelings of loyalty to the British Government, and remove any misconception that may arise as to the instruction of Government with regard to any of its measures.
To protect and advance the political rights and interests of Muslims of India, and to respectfully represent their needs and aspirations to the Government.
To prevent the rise among the Muslims of India of any feeling of hostility towards other communities without prejudice to the aforementioned objects of the League.
Within three years of its formation, the AIML successfully achieved the status of separate electorates for the Muslims.
The Lucknow Pact (1916) put an official seal on a separate political identity to Muslims League.

Minto-Morley Reforms – 1909

In December 1908 the Morley-Minto constitutional reforms were announced.
Minto- Viceroy – Father of Communal Representation.
Morley – Secretary of State for India.
The moderates welcomed the reforms but extremist did not accept them.

Measures taken by Minto were highly divisive as it institutionalised communal electorates creating Hindu-Muslim divide.
The number of elected members in the Imperial Legislative Council and the Provincial Legislative Councils was increased.
In the provincial councils, non-official majority was introduced.
The local bodies were to elect an electoral college, which in turn would elect members of provincial legislatures, who in turn would elect members of the central legislature.
Members can ask supplementary Questions and resolution.
Communal Representation for Muslims was introduced as Separate Electorate.
First time Indians in Executive council was allowed
First Indian to Join Viceroy’s Executive council is Satyendra Prasad Sinha (Law member)
The people had demanded self-government but what they were given was ‘benevolent despotism’.

Only Muslims could vote for the Muslim candidates. Minto Morely Reforms, 1909 provided for eight seats to Muslims in the Imperial Legislative Council, out of the 27 non-officials to be elected.
In the Legislative Council of the provinces seats reserved for the Muslim candidates were: Madras 4; Bombay 4; Bengal 5.

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