Also known as the MacDonald Award, it was announced after the Round Table Conference (1930–1932) and extended the separate electorate to the Depressed Classes (now known as the Scheduled Castes) and other minorities.
The Award was controversial as it was perceived by many Hindus to be aimed at causing social divides in India, and Gandhi feared that it would disintegrate Hindu society.
The government reluctantly agreed to lift the ban on Congress and in return received anxious support from the All-India Muslim League, which was still smarting over Gandhi's majoritarianism.
The Poona Pact rejected any further advancement for the Untouchables but satisfied the other electorates like Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans since they would remain separate.
During the parliamentary debates on the Government of India Act, the Untouchables gained a notable champion in a Conservative MP, Albert Goodman.