ABSTRACT
The reforms were the central theme of the Morley–Minto politics. The culmination of the Morley–Minto politics was giving the Indian Musulmans a separate electorate. If the Native Member were generally accepted by the British population in India, many difficulties would be solved, but if the appointment were bitterly resisted, racial tension would be aggravated. Morley, equally diplomatic, asserted that if the Viceroy admitted a Native Member, he would follow suit for his Council. The pledges given by the Viceroy to the Mohammedans were fatal to the theory that the enlargement of the Legislative Councils and the importance given to the elective element were steps in the direction of representative government. The Viceroy's attention was drawn to Moslem representation in the legislative chambers of the country, beginning with the provincial councils. The Moslem leaders were told they could suggest to the Government any constitutional or administrative improvement or change to safeguard their interests.
