Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Dalit leaders like Dr B.R. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for the Depressed Classes because they believed political empowerment would resolve the problems of their social disabilities. For long, the Congress had ignored dalits, and they felt that without a separate electorate — where dalit representatives would be chosen exclusively by dalit voters — their voices would remain unheard in legislative councils. Ambedkar organised the Depressed Classes Association in 1930 and clashed with Gandhi at the Second Round Table Conference (1931) over this demand. They also sought reserved seats in educational institutions. Their goal was genuine political representation as the foundation for social equality.

Source: Chapter 2, Section 3.3 — The Limits of Civil Disobedience

---

• The examiner looks for two to three clear reasons: social disabilities unaddressed by Congress, belief that political power precedes social change, and lack of representation in councils.
• Mention Ambedkar's Depressed Classes Association (1930) and the Second Round Table Conference — these are factual anchors that earn marks.
• You can briefly note the outcome (Poona Pact, 1932) if space allows, but the question asks why they demanded it, not what happened after — so keep focus on reasons.
• Avoid writing about the Poona Pact in detail; that would answer a different question.