Which one of the following statements about the All India Depressed Classes Association is NOT correct?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with an important organization in the history of Dalit and depressed classes politics in India: the All India Depressed Classes Association. Understanding its leadership, its relationship with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and its stand on separate electorates is vital to grasp the internal debates within the movement for social justice. You are asked to pick the statement that is factually not correct about this Association.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Statement A: The Association was formed in Nagpur with M. C. Rajah as its first elected President.
- Statement B: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar did not attend the founding session in 1926.
- Statement C: Ambedkar later resigned from the Association and formed the All India Depressed Classes Congress in 1930.
- Statement D: The Association favoured Ambedkar's demand for separate electorates for the depressed classes.
- You must identify which one of these statements is incorrect when compared with historical facts.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, the All India Depressed Classes Association was established in Nagpur, and M. C. Rajah emerged as a prominent leader associated with it. Ambedkar initially did not attend the foundational meeting but later interacted with the Association, ultimately resigning and creating his own organization, the All India Depressed Classes Congress. A key issue was the debate over separate electorates for depressed classes. Ambedkar strongly demanded separate electorates, but many other leaders, including those associated with the Association, eventually leaned towards joint electorates with reserved seats. This background helps us evaluate which statement misrepresents the Association's stance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Statement A correctly notes that the All India Depressed Classes Association was formed in Nagpur and that M. C. Rajah served as its first elected President. Step 2: Statement B is also correct; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar did not participate in the founding session of the Association in 1926. Step 3: Statement C accurately reflects that Ambedkar later resigned from the Association and founded the All India Depressed Classes Congress in 1930. Step 4: Statement D is incorrect because the Association eventually shifted away from Ambedkar's demand for separate electorates and moved towards joint electorates with reserved seats, so it did not favour his separate electorate position.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, recall the broader political debate of the early 1930s. Ambedkar argued vigorously at the Round Table Conferences for separate electorates for depressed classes, but this position faced opposition from other leaders, including some Dalit and non-Dalit groups. M. C. Rajah later entered into the Rajah–Moonje pact, which supported joint electorates with reserved seats, showing a shift away from the idea of separate electorates. This confirms that attributing support for Ambedkar's demand to the Association as a whole is inaccurate.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is historically accurate and is widely accepted in standard references on Dalit political organizations. Option B correctly notes Ambedkar's absence from the 1926 founding session, reflecting early differences in strategy and organization. Option C accurately describes Ambedkar's subsequent resignation from the Association and his establishment of the All India Depressed Classes Congress in 1930. Thus, none of these options is incorrect. Only option D misstates the Association's eventual stance on separate electorates, making it the not-correct statement required by the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that all Dalit organizations and leaders unanimously supported separate electorates simply because Ambedkar championed this demand. In reality, the depressed classes movement contained diverse opinions, and alliances like the Rajah–Moonje pact indicate a willingness among some leaders to accept joint electorates with reservations. Another pitfall is to conflate different organizations, such as the All India Depressed Classes Association and the All India Depressed Classes Congress, and attribute the positions of one to the other.

Final Answer:
The only statement that is not correct is the claim that the All India Depressed Classes Association favoured Ambedkar's demand for separate electorates. Therefore, the correct answer is “The All India Depressed Classes Association favoured Ambedkar’s demand for separate electorate for the depressed classes.”