The correct option is Begum Aizaz Rasul.
Explanation
The debate regarding separate electorates was one of the most contentious issues in the Constituent Assembly. While the system had been a feature of British colonial governance since 1909, the Assembly had to decide whether to continue it in independent India. The discussion centered on balancing minority representation with national integration.Detailed Analysis:
- Begum Aizaz Rasul: She was the only Muslim woman in the Constituent Assembly and a member of the Muslim League. Unlike many of her colleagues who migrated to Pakistan or supported separate electorates, she advocated for joint electorates. She argued that separate electorates were "self-destructive since they isolate the minorities from the majority." She believed that for Muslims to be integral to the nation's democratic process, they must not be segregated from the general electorate.
- Counter-Arguments: Her view stood in contrast to members like B. Pocker Bahadur (Option c), who argued vehemently for the retention of separate electorates to ensure Muslim representation.
- Outcome: Arguments by leaders like Begum Aizaz Rasul, Sardar Patel, and Govind Ballabh Pant prevailed. The Assembly eventually abolished separate electorates, establishing a system of joint electorates to foster a unified political community.
Key Takeaway:
Begum Aizaz Rasul was a prominent voice in the Constituent Assembly who opposed separate electorates, asserting that they would permanently alienate minorities and hinder their integration into the secular national mainstream.