Which Viceroy is called the 'Father of Communal Electorate' in India, because separate electorates for Muslims were introduced in his time?

Lord Minto II, the Viceroy of India from 1905 to 1910, is called the "Father of Communal Electorate", because separate electorates for Muslims were introduced by the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (the Morley-Minto Reforms), passed during his time.

Background:

• In October 1906, a deputation of Muslim leaders, led by the Aga Khan, met Minto at Simla.
• They asked for separate electorates for Muslims, and for representation in excess of their numerical strength, because of their political importance.
• Minto assured them that their demands would be considered.
• In December 1906, the All-India Muslim League was founded at Dacca.

The Indian Councils Act of 1909:

• It was framed by John Morley, the Secretary of State for India, and Minto.
• It increased the number of members in the central and provincial legislative councils.
• It allowed members to discuss the budget and ask supplementary questions.
• It introduced separate electorates for Muslims: Muslim voters would elect Muslim representatives.
• It provided for the appointment of an Indian to the Viceroy's Executive Council; Satyendra Prasanna Sinha became the first Indian member.

Significance:

• Separate electorates encouraged the idea that Muslims were a separate political community, and sowed the seeds of communal politics.
• NCERT notes that the creation of separate electorates had a far-reaching impact on the nature of communal politics in India.

Other events of Minto's time:

• The Swadeshi Movement.
• The split in the Congress at Surat (1907).
• The arrest and trial of Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1908), who was sentenced to six years in Mandalay jail.
• The Alipore bomb case and the trial of Aurobindo Ghosh.
• Khudiram Bose was hanged (1908).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Curzon, Hardinge II and Chelmsford were other Viceroys.