The third Round Table Conference was held on November 17, 1932, and lasted until December 24, 1932. The leaders of Congress did not attend this conference either. It was impossible to reach a conclusion without the presence and participation of Congress leaders. It only resulted in the creation of the Government of India Act, 1935, which was modeled after the Government of India Act, 1919. One of the primary reasons for Congress's absence was that too many of its leaders were once again imprisoned, this time for continuing the Civil Disobedience Movement, undertaking salt Satyagraha. In this article, we will discuss the Third Round Table Conference which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Third Round Table Conference - Background

• On November 17, 1932, the third Round Table Conference was held in London. This was a nominal conference.
• Congress refused to attend (despite being invited), and the Labour Party in the United Kingdom also refused to attend.
• As a result, only 46 people responded. The "White Paper" issued by the government was the key outcome of the Third Round Table Conference.
• On the basis of this paper, a new Indian constitution was drafted and approved by both Houses of Parliament.
• The Government of India Act 1935 was to be enacted based on this paper.
• During this conference, a college student named Chaudhary Rahmat Ali proposed the name of the new land carved out of India specifically for Muslims. Pakistan was the name given to this "holy" land.
• Muslim leaders who attended the conference included Muhammad Ali, Agha Khan, Fazlul Haq, and Jinnah.

Third Round Table Conference - Participants

• The Third Round Table Conference had only 46 delegates in total.
• The INC and the Labour Party decided not to attend.
• Indian princely states were represented by princes and divans.
• The depressed class was there.
• Women, Europeans, Anglo-Indians, and labor groups.
• The Aga Khan (Muslims), represented British Indians.
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Depressed Classes)
• Henry Gidney (Anglo-Indians)
• N. M. Joshi (Labour)
• Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz (Women)
• Tej Bahadur Sapru (Liberals)

Third Round Table Conference - Issues Discussed

• The reports of the Sub-Committees appointed during the Second Round Table Conference were heard and formed the basis of discussions at the Conference.
• More details about the new constitution were worked out.
• The Indian delegates attempted to push through some progressive provisions, which were quickly withdrawn.
• Similarly, the inclusion of a Bill of Rights for citizens was postponed for flimsy reasons.

Third Round Table Conference - Outcome

• This round table conference was also a setback because no important issues were discussed due to the absence of political leaders and Maharajas.
• The proposals of this round table conference were written down and published in a White paper in 1933, which was later debated in the British parliament.
• The British parliament then examined the round table conference's proposals and recommendations.
• Based on this, the Government of India Act of 1935 was enacted.

Conclusion

The Round Table Conferences played a significant role in Indian history and are responsible for the way we view our country today. Throughout British rule, it played a generous role in ensuring that Indian leaders had a platform to communicate with the British as equals and express their concerns and needs. However, it was the Third Round Table Conference that finally brought our leaders the long-awaited freedom for which they had fought.

FAQs

Q1: What was the Third Round Table Conference?

Q2: Who represented the Indian National Congress at the Third Round Table Conference?

Q3: What were the main objectives of the Third Round Table Conference?

Q4: What was the outcome of the Third Round Table Conference?

Q5: How did the Third Round Table Conference impact Indian politics?

MCQs

1. When was the Third Round Table Conference held?

a) 1930

b) 1932

c) 1934

d) 1935

2. Why did the Indian National Congress boycott the Third Round Table Conference?

a) They were satisfied with the British proposals.

b) They sought complete independence.

c) They had disagreements with other Indian factions.

d) They did not receive an invitation.

3. What was a key topic discussed at the Third Round Table Conference?

a) Economic policies

b) Land reforms

c) Constitutional reforms

d) Military alliances

4. What was a significant consequence of the Third Round Table Conference?

a) Successful reforms were implemented immediately.

b) It highlighted divisions among Indian leaders.

c) The British government conceded complete autonomy.

d) A new Indian Constitution was drafted.

5. Which group did not participate in the Third Round Table Conference?

a) The Muslim League

b) The Indian National Congress

c) The Hindu Mahasabha

d) The Socialist Party

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the significance of the Third Round Table Conference in the context of India's freedom struggle.

Answer: The Third Round Table Conference was significant as it underscored the Indian demand for greater self-governance and exposed the divisions among various political groups. Although the conference did not yield fruitful results, it laid bare the growing discontent with British rule and the urgent call for reforms. The absence of the Indian National Congress from the conference highlighted the dissatisfaction with incremental reforms and the demand for complete independence, thus propelling the freedom struggle forward.

Q2: Discuss the reasons for the failure of the Third Round Table Conference.

Answer: The failure of the Third Round Table Conference can be attributed to multiple factors, including the absence of the Indian National Congress, which was a major political force in India. The British government's reluctance to grant substantial concessions and the inability to reconcile the differing demands of various Indian factions contributed to the deadlock. Furthermore, communal tensions and the focus on minority rights complicated negotiations, ultimately leading to a lack of consensus on crucial issues.

Q3: Analyze the impact of the Third Round Table Conference on communal politics in India.

Answer: The Third Round Table Conference significantly impacted communal politics in India by exacerbating tensions between different religious and political groups. The discussions on minority rights highlighted the fears and aspirations of various communities, particularly the Muslims and Sikhs, leading to increased communal consciousness. The failure to reach an agreement further entrenched divisions, influencing subsequent political strategies and the communal landscape leading up to independence. This period marked a critical juncture in India's political history, setting the stage for future communal and political dynamics.

Previous Year Questions on  Third Round Table Conference

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following statements regarding the Third Round Table Conference is correct?

Answer: The conference did not achieve any consensus on constitutional reforms, highlighting the existing rifts among Indian political factions and the British government's reluctance to offer substantial reforms.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Critically assess the outcomes of the Round Table Conferences in relation to Indian constitutional development.

Answer: The outcomes of the Round Table Conferences were pivotal in shaping Indian constitutional development, although they fell short of achieving immediate reforms. The conferences highlighted the necessity for Indian representation in governance and laid the groundwork for future constitutional negotiations. The increasing demand for complete autonomy became apparent, particularly with the absence of the Indian National Congress from the Third Conference, reflecting the growing impatience for independence. These discussions set the stage for the eventual constitutional developments leading to India's independence.