On September 7, 1931, the second session of the conference convened in London. The conference's main task was accomplished through the two committees on federal structure and minorities. To address the ineffectiveness of the First Round Table Conference, the Second Round Table Conference was held in London from September 7th to December 1st, 1931, with the active participation of Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, who were specially invited for the Conference. In this article, we will discuss the Second Round Table Conference which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Second Round Table Conference - Background

• Sapru, M.R. Jayakar, and V.S. Srinivasa Sastri asked the Congress, which had killed and boycotted the first conference, to come to an agreement.
• A settlement between Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin brought the Congress to the second session of the Round Table Conference, which began on September 7.
• Although MacDonald was still Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he was now leading a coalition government (the "National Government") with a Conservative majority, which included Sir Samuel Hoare as a new Secretary of State for India.
• Gandhi secretly met Malcolm MacDonald at Balliol College, Oxford, on November 7, 1931.
• He used a tour of the East End and a visit to Lancashire cotton mills to gain publicity, but he was unable to persuade the government to grant self-rule.
• The looming Agrarian Crisis and Congress's latest campaign for a Fair Rent were more pressing.

Second Round Table Conference - Participants

• British representatives from various political parties, as well as British Prime Minister James Ramsay MacDonald, were present.
• Representatives of the British Indian group: Indian National Congress, which was solely represented by Gandhi.
• A. Rangaswami Iyengar and Madan Mohan Malaviya were also present.
• Representatives of Burma and from the provinces of Sindh, Assam, Central Provinces, and the NWFP also attended.

Second Round Table Conference - Features

• Lord Irwin had been replaced as viceroy in India by Lord Willingdon by this point.
• The Labour government in England had been replaced just before the conference by a National Government, an uneasy coalition of Labour and Conservatives.
• The British were also enraged by the increased revolutionary activity in India, which had claimed many European lives.
• The Right Wing or Conservatives in Britain, led by Churchill, were vehemently opposed to the British government negotiating on an equal footing with the Congress. Instead, they called for a strong government in India.
• The Conservative-dominated cabinet was led by Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, who was aided by a weak and reactionary secretary of state for India, Samuel Hoare.
• At the conference, Gandhi (and thus the Congress) claimed to speak for all Indians against imperialism. The other delegates, however, did not agree.
• Many of the delegates were conservatives, government loyalists, and communalists, and that the colonial government used these groups to counter Gandhi's efforts.
• Because of the large number of groups that participated, the British government claimed that the Congress did not represent the interests of all of India.
• Gandhi emphasised the importance of a partnership between Britain and India based on equality.
• He demanded the immediate establishment of a responsible government at the national and provincial levels.
• He also stated that the Congress was the sole representative of political India.
• He rejected the idea of a separate electorate for untouchables, claiming that they were Hindus and thus should not be treated as a minority.
• He also stated that separate electorates or special safeguards for Muslims or other minorities were unnecessary. Many of the other delegates were opposed to Gandhi.
• The session quickly came to a halt over the issue of minorities. Separate electorates were demanded by Muslims, the poor, Christians, and Anglo-Indians. All of this culminated in the 'Minorities' Pact.'
• Gandhi fought valiantly against this concerted effort to tie all constitutional progress to the resolution of this issue.
• The princes were also wary of federation, especially after the possibility of forming a Congress government at the centre had faded following the suspension of the civil disobedience movement.

Second Round Table Conference - Issues Discussed

• A responsible government, both at the centre and in the provinces, must be established immediately and completely.
• Congress was the sole representative of political India.
• The Untouchables were Hindus and should not be considered a "minority." There should be no separate electorates or special protections for Muslims or other minorities.
• However, the other Indian delegates rejected Gandhi's claims.
• The conference was deadlocked on the issue of minorities, as separate electorates were now being demanded by Muslims, Dalits, Christians, Anglo Indians, and Europeans, among others.

Second Round Table Conference - Outcome

• With the formation of the coalition government in England, the entire atmosphere of the Second Round Table conference shifted.
• The only result of this session was a widening of the gap between the Congress and the minorities.
• Except for the Sikhs, all minorities (including Dalits) wanted their own separate electorates.
• So, on the one hand, there were Minorities who were opposed to reaching an agreement among themselves.
• On the other hand, there was the antagonistic British Government, which was opposed to Indian aspirations. Gandhi returned disappointed and unsatisfied.
• The session concluded with MacDonald's announcement of:
  • two Muslim majority provinces, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Sindh;
  • the formation of an Indian Consultative Committee;
  • the formation of three expert committees, finance, franchise, and states;
  • the threat of a unilateral British Communal Award if Indians did not agree.

Conclusion

On the last day, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald urged Indian leaders to reach a communal settlement. He claimed that failure to do so would force the British government to make a unilateral decision. Quaid-i-Azam did not attend the Second Round Table Conference session because he had decided to stay out of Indian politics and practise as a professional lawyer in England. When Gandhi returned to India, he relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement and was promptly arrested.

FAQs

MCQs

1. When was the Second Round Table Conference held?

A) 1930
B) 1931
C) 1932
D) 1933

2. Who was involved in the Poona Pact?

A) Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhi
B) Ambedkar and Gandhi
C) Jinnah and Gandhi
D) Patel and Nehru

3. What was one of the main outcomes of the Second Round Table Conference?

A) Grant of full independence
B) Implementation of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
C) The Communal Award
D) Establishment of the Indian National Congress

4. Which of the following leaders was NOT present at the Second Round Table Conference?

A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) B.R. Ambedkar
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) C. Rajagopalachari

5. What was a significant issue discussed at the Second Round Table Conference?

A) Economic policies
B) Communal representation
C) Land reforms
D) Education policies

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the significance of the Second Round Table Conference in the context of India's struggle for independence.

Answer: The Second Round Table Conference was significant in India's struggle for independence as it represented an attempt by the British government to engage with Indian leaders and address demands for constitutional reforms. Although the conference did not yield immediate results, it highlighted the deepening divide among Indian communities regarding representation and self-governance. The discussions led to the Communal Award, which attempted to address the representation of various communities, notably Muslims and untouchables, although it also stirred tensions among them. The participation of Mahatma Gandhi and the resulting Poona Pact with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar underscored the complexity of Indian politics during this period. Ultimately, while the conference fell short of resolving the independence struggle, it laid the groundwork for future negotiations and reflected the growing assertiveness of Indian political aspirations.

Q2: Discuss the implications of the Communal Award as a result of the Second Round Table Conference.

Answer: The Communal Award, announced during the Second Round Table Conference, had far-reaching implications for Indian politics. It aimed to provide separate electorates for various communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, and untouchables, which was intended to ensure adequate representation in the legislative framework. However, this provision led to significant political tensions, particularly between the Congress and the Muslim League. The Award's emphasis on communal identities further entrenched divisions within Indian society, complicating the quest for a unified nationalist movement. The backlash against separate electorates eventually culminated in the Poona Pact, which altered the dynamics of representation for the untouchables. Thus, the Communal Award illustrated the challenges of balancing communal interests with the broader goal of national unity during India's independence struggle.

Q3: Analyze the impact of Mahatma Gandhi's involvement in the Second Round Table Conference on the politics of that era.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi's involvement in the Second Round Table Conference had a profound impact on the politics of the era, as it positioned him as a key figure in the Indian independence movement. His presence at the conference represented the Congress's commitment to negotiating with the British government, showcasing a willingness to engage in dialogue despite the backdrop of ongoing civil disobedience. Gandhi's advocacy for the rights of untouchables and the subsequent Poona Pact with B.R. Ambedkar marked a significant turning point in addressing caste issues within the broader nationalist movement. Additionally, Gandhi's approach emphasized the importance of non-violent resistance and civil rights, which resonated deeply with the Indian populace and further galvanized support for the independence movement. His involvement helped to elevate social issues, such as caste discrimination, within the political discourse, shaping the trajectory of India's struggle for freedom.

Previous Year Questions on Second Round Table Conference

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What was a significant outcome of the Second Round Table Conference regarding the representation of communities?

A) Full independence for India
B) The Communal Award
C) Establishment of a federal structure
D) Implementation of the Government of India Act 1935

Answer: (B)

Explanation: A significant outcome was the Communal Award, which aimed to provide separate electorates for various communities.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Evaluate the role of the Second Round Table Conference in shaping India's future political landscape."

Answer: The Second Round Table Conference played a pivotal role in shaping India's political landscape by initiating discussions about communal representation and self-governance. It brought together diverse political entities, reflecting the complexities of Indian society and politics. Although the conference did not achieve substantial results, it laid the foundation for future negotiations and revealed the divisions among different communities regarding representation, which influenced subsequent political strategies leading to independence.