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254 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
In the matter of Muslim representation in the Provincial Legislative Councils it was agreed that the proportion of Muslim representation should be as follows* :—
Percentage of elected Indian Members to the Provincial Legislature Punjab ... ... ... 50 United Provinces ... ... 30 Bengal ... ... ... 40 Bihar and Orissa ... ... 25 Central Provinces ... ... 15 Madras ... ... ... 15 Bombay ... ... ... 33
While allowing this proportion of seats to the Muslims, the right to second vote in the general electorates which they had under the arrangement of 1909 was taken away.
The Lucknow Pact was adversely criticized by the Montagu Chelmsford Report. But being an agreement between the parties Government did not like to reject it and to substitute in its place its own decision. Both clauses of the agreement were accepted by Government and embodied in the Government of India Act of 1919. The clause relating to legislation was given effect to but in a different form. Instead of leaving it to the members of the Legislature to oppose it, it was provided† that legislation affecting the religion or religious rites and usages of any class of British subjects in India shall not be introduced at any meeting of either Chamber of the Indian Legislature without the previous sanction of the Governor-General.
The clause relating to representation was accepted by the Government, though in the opinion of the Government the Punjab and Bengal Muslims were not fairly treated.
The effect of these concessions can be seen by reference to the composition of the Legislatures constituted under the Government of India Act, 1919, which was as follows:—
- For some reason the Pact did not settle the proportion of Muslim representation in Assam. † Government of India Act, 1919, section 67(2)(b) .