Jawaharlal Nehru described the Government of India Act, 1935 as the "Charter of Slavery". This act was a significant piece of legislation enacted by the British colonial government to establish a new system of governance in India.

Background:
Before delving into Nehru's viewpoint, it is important to understand the historical context in which the Act was passed. The British control over India had been steadily increasing since the establishment of the East India Company's rule in the 18th century. The Act of 1935 was an attempt to introduce limited political reforms while maintaining British dominance.

Details of the Act:
1. Federal Structure: The Act proposed the establishment of a federal system in India, dividing powers between the central government and the provinces.
2. Provincial Autonomy: It granted increased autonomy to the provinces, allowing them to have their own governments and legislative councils.
3. Separation of Powers: The Act sought to separate the executive and legislative functions, establishing separate executive and legislative branches at both the central and provincial levels.
4. Franchise: The Act introduced limited electoral reforms, expanding the voting rights to a small fraction of the Indian population.
5. Reservations: The Act introduced communal electorates and reserved seats for different religious communities, leading to the further division of Indian society along religious lines.
6. Central Control: Despite the proposed reforms, the Act maintained British control over crucial aspects of governance, such as finance, defense, and foreign affairs.
7. Diarchy: The Act also retained the diarchy system in the provinces, where some subjects were under the control of elected Indian ministers while others remained with British-appointed governors.

Nehru's Criticism:
Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and later India's first Prime Minister, criticized the Government of India Act, 1935, for several reasons:
1. Lack of Full Independence: Nehru believed that the Act did not grant India full independence and perpetuated British control over crucial aspects of governance.
2. Continued British Influence: He felt that the Act maintained British dominance by retaining control over finance, defense, and foreign affairs, limiting India's sovereignty.
3. Divisions: Nehru opposed the introduction of communal electorates and reservations, as it further fragmented Indian society along religious lines.
4. Insufficient Representation: The Act's limited electoral reforms did not provide adequate representation to the Indian population, excluding the majority from meaningful participation in governance.

Conclusion:
Jawaharlal Nehru's description of the Government of India Act, 1935, as the "Charter of Slavery" reflects his dissatisfaction with the Act's provisions and its failure to grant India full independence and self-governance. The Act, though introducing some reforms, ultimately fell short of meeting the aspirations of the Indian people for complete freedom and self-determination.