Morley-Minto Reforms Act

a law adopted by the British Parliament in 1909 and providing for changes in the composition and functions of the central and provincial legislative councils of India. Drafted by the minister for Indian affairs J. Morley and by the governor-general of India G. Minto, the reforms enlarged the legislative councils by including Indian members and increasing the number of elected members in general. However, the majority of the council members were appointed by the colonial authorities, and the councils had only consultative functions. Owing to the high qualifications for voting, only 0.02 percent of the population could take part in elections. Dissension between Hindus and Muslims was fanned by the establishment of a special communal constituencies for the Muslims. The reform was an insignificant concession intended to attract the Indian bourgeoisie and the top stratum of the intelligentsia to the side of the colonial authorities.