Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932 mainly because Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award.

The Communal Award was announced by the British Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald on August 16, 1932. The award granted separate electorates for the Dalits, which was supported by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar but opposed by Mahatma Gandhi. To protest against the Communal Award and to bring Hindus and Dalits together, Gandhi undertook a fast unto death on September 20, 1932. After negotiations, an agreement was reached on September 24, 1932, which is known as the Poona Pact, and Gandhi broke his fast. The Poona Pact provided for reserved seats for the Dalits within the Hindu community, instead of separate electorates.