Who among the following gave evidence before the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill, 1919 in favour of female franchise? 1. Mrs. Annie Besant 2. Mrs. Sarojini Naidu 3. Mrs. Hirabai Tata Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, 1, 2 and 3. Annie Besant, Sarojini Naidu and Hirabai Tata all went before the Joint Select Committee in London in 1919 to argue for votes for Indian women.
When the Montagu-Chelmsford reform bill was being examined, Indian women's groups pressed for the vote. Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant gave evidence in its favour, and Hirabai Tata, travelling with her daughter Mithibai, presented the case for women's suffrage on behalf of Bombay women. The committee did not grant the vote outright but left it to the new provincial councils; Madras was the first to let women vote, in 1921.
A is wrong: Annie Besant was not the only witness.
B is wrong: it leaves out Hirabai Tata.
C is wrong: it leaves out Annie Besant.
Exam tip: Government of India Act 1919 left women's franchise to the provinces; Madras led in 1921.
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