The provision for separate electorate for Muslims was given in

The provision for separate electorates for Muslims was first introduced by the Indian Councils Act of 1909, popularly known as the Morley-Minto Reforms [1]. This landmark legislation established a system where only Muslim voters could elect Muslim candidates to the legislative councils, effectively legalising communalism in Indian politics [2]. The reforms were a response to the demands of the Shimla Deputation led by the Aga Khan in 1906 [1]. While subsequent acts like the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 and the Communal Award of 1932 extended separate electorates to other minorities such as Sikhs, Indian Christians, and Anglo-Indians, the origin of this communal representation for Muslims lies specifically in the 1909 Act [5]. Lord Minto is consequently referred to as the 'Father of Communal Electorate' for institutionalising this divisive electoral principle [2].

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Reforms > p. 277
2. [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > Objectives of All India Muslim League > p. 76
3. [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communal_Award