Second Round Table Conference: Feature, Participants, Outcomes, and Significance

India’s Path to Self-Rule: Second Round Table Conference 1931

The Second Round Table Conference, held in London, England, from September 7 to December 1, 1931, was a significant political event. The British government called it to discuss constitutional reforms for India in response to the demand for greater self-government. The Second Round Table Conference was called in response to the failure of the First Round Table Conference in 1930, which was boycotted by the Indian National Congress.

Gandhi’s Stand and Deadlock: Second Round Table Conference 1931

• Gandhi the Sole Representative: The Indian National Congress nominated Gandhi as its sole representative. With Mahatma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu also attended the conference.
• Other Participants: There were a large number of Indian participants, including Tej Bahadur Sapru, C.Y. Chintamani and Srinivasa Sastri. 
• The Government of India Representatives: They were represented by C.P. Ramachandra Rao, and the Right Wing or Conservatives in Britain led by Churchill objected to the British government negotiating with the Congress on an equal basis.  
• Representative of All Indias: At the conference, Gandhi claimed to represent all people of India against imperialism.  
• Partnership on Equal Basis: The British government claimed that the Congress did not represent the interests of all of India, and Gandhi argued for a partnership between Britain and India on the basis of equality.  
• Deadlock in Session: The other delegates, however, did not share this view, and the session soon got deadlocked on the question of minorities.  
• Minorities Pact: The Muslims, depressed classes, Christians and Anglo-Indians came together in a ‘Minorities’ Pact’. Gandhi fought against this. 
• Lukewarm Attitude for Federation: The princes were not too enthusiastic about a federation, especially after the possibility of the formation of a Congress government at the Centre had receded. 

Diverse Participants: Second Round Table Conference 1931

Outcome: Second Round Table Conference 1931

• No substantial Result: The lack of agreement among delegates meant that no substantial results were achieved at the conference at the start.
• MacDonald’s announcement: British Prime Minister MacDonald announced the following decision to end the session.

1. 1. Two Muslim-majority provinces to be formed—North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Sindh; 
   2. The setting up of an Indian Consultative Committee; 
   3. The setting up of three expert committees—finance, franchise and states; and 
   4. The prospect of a unilateral British Communal Award if Indians failed to agree.
      The government refused to concede the basic Indian demand for freedom. Gandhi returned to India on December 28, 1931.

Importance of Second Round Table Conference in Indian Struggle

• The Second Round Table Conference was a watershed moment in India’s struggle for self-government because it gave various Indian communities a platform to present their demands and aspirations.
• The conference highlighted the difficulties of bringing diverse groups together and reaching a consensus on critical issues.
• Although the discussions and agreements did not result in immediate constitutional reforms, they laid the groundwork for future negotiations and paved the way for the eventual transfer of power from British rule to Indian self-rule.

Conclusion

Overall, the Second Round Table Conference was a significant event in Indian political history, bringing together representatives from various Indian communities and British officials to discuss constitutional reforms. While it did not achieve all of its goals, it did lay the groundwork for future discussions and contributed to India’s independence process.

ON THE SECOND ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE FAQs

Q1. Who represented India in the Second Round Table Conference held in 1931?

Ans. The Second Round Table Conference took place in London from September 7 to December 1, 1931. Mahatma Gandhi represented the Indian National Congress in the second round of table conferences, while Sarojini Naidu represented Indian women.

Q2. Who was the Viceroy of 2nd round table conference?

Ans. The Second Round Table Conference was held in a less favourable setting. Lord Irwin was succeeded as Viceroy of India by Lord Wellington, who served until 1936.

Q3. Why did Gandhi attend the second round table meeting?

Ans. In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi travelled to London for the Second Round Table Conference to explore constitutional reform in India.

Q4. Who attended all 3 Round Table Conferences?

Ans. All three round table discussions were attended by B.R. Ambedkar and Tej Bahadur Sapru.

Q5. Who represented the Dalits at the Second Round Table Conference?

Ans. Dalits were represented in the Second Round Table Conference by Babasaheb Ambedkar. He wanted to ensure that Dalits were properly represented in government and other public offices.

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