📜 Round Table Conferences (RTC) – A Detailed Overview
The Round Table Conferences (RTC) were a series of three conferences organized by the British Government between 1930 and 1932 in London to discuss constitutional reforms in India. These conferences were a result of increasing pressure from Indian nationalists, particularly after the Civil Disobedience Movement and the failure of the Simon Commission (1927).
The main objective of these conferences was to discuss India’s future governance and to frame a new constitution for India. However, due to internal disagreements and British reluctance, they largely failed to achieve their goals.
🔹 Background of the Round Table Conferences
📌 The Simon Commission (1927), which was sent by the British to review India’s constitutional status, faced massive protests because it did not include any Indian representatives.
📌 The Nehru Report (1928), drafted by Indian leaders, demanded Dominion Status for India, which the British ignored.
📌 The Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934), led by Mahatma Gandhi, increased pressure on the British to negotiate with Indians.
📌 The First Round Table Conference (1930) was boycotted by Congress, making it ineffective.
To discuss the future of India, the British PM Ramsay MacDonald initiated the Round Table Conferences in London.
📜 First Round Table Conference (1930-1931)
📌 Date: November 12, 1930 – January 19, 1931
📌 Location: London
📌 Chairperson: British PM Ramsay MacDonald
🔹 Key Participants:
✅ Muslim League – Led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah
✅ Hindu Mahasabha – Represented by B.S. Moonje
✅ Princely States – Represented by their rulers
✅ Depressed Classes – Represented by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
❌ Indian National Congress (INC) boycotted the conference, as they demanded full independence first
🔹 Main Discussions:
🔹 British proposed Dominion Status for India, but it was not clear or immediate.
🔹 Muslim League demanded separate electorates for Muslims.
🔹 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for Dalits (Depressed Classes).
🔹 Princely States supported British rule, wanting autonomy under the British Crown.
🔹 Why It Failed?
❌ Congress, the largest political party, was absent, making the conference ineffective.
❌ British did not agree to give immediate Dominion Status or independence.
❌ Internal conflicts between different Indian groups (Hindus, Muslims, Dalits, Princely States) led to disagreements.
👉 The British realized that Congress must be involved for any further discussions.
📜 Second Round Table Conference (1931)
📌 Date: September 7, 1931 – December 1, 1931
📌 Location: London
📌 Chairperson: British PM Ramsay MacDonald
🔹 Key Participants:
✅ Indian National Congress (INC) – Represented by Mahatma Gandhi as the sole representative
✅ Muslim League – Led by Jinnah and Aga Khan
✅ Depressed Classes – Represented by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
✅ Sikhs, Princely States, Anglo-Indians, and Business Leaders
🔹 Main Discussions:
🔹 Gandhi demanded:
✅ Complete Independence (Purna Swaraj) instead of Dominion Status
✅ End of separate electorates, as it would divide Indian society
✅ Release of political prisoners
🔹 Muslim League demanded:
✅ Separate electorates for Muslims and other minorities
✅ More safeguards for Muslims in future governance
🔹 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar demanded:
✅ Separate electorates for Dalits, as they needed special protection
🔹 Why It Failed?
❌ Gandhi rejected the idea of separate electorates, while Muslim League and Ambedkar supported it.
❌ British refused to grant Purna Swaraj (complete independence).
❌ The conference ended in failure, leading Gandhi to return to India and restart the Civil Disobedience Movement.
👉 The failure of this conference led to the Communal Award (1932) and the Poona Pact (1932).
📜 Third Round Table Conference (1932-1933)
📌 Date: November 17, 1932 – December 24, 1932
📌 Location: London
📌 Chairperson: British PM Ramsay MacDonald
🔹 Key Participants:
✅ Muslim League
✅ Hindu Mahasabha
✅ Princely States
❌ Congress boycotted again, as many of its leaders were in jail due to the Civil Disobedience Movement.
🔹 Main Discussions & Outcomes:
🔹 Without Congress, the conference had no major discussions on self-governance.
🔹 British confirmed the Communal Award (separate electorates) for Muslims, Sikhs, and Dalits.
🔹 Finalized the Government of India Act, 1935, which gave:
✅ Provincial autonomy (elections in provinces)
✅ Federal structure (but never implemented)
✅ Separate electorates for minorities and Dalits
🔹 Why It Failed?
❌ Without Congress, the conference lacked major representation.
❌ The British continued their “Divide and Rule” policy, favoring separate electorates.
❌ It led to political tensions, as the Government of India Act, 1935, did not fully satisfy any Indian group.
👉 The Congress opposed the 1935 Act, but later participated in the 1937 provincial elections under it.
🔹 Impact & Significance of the Round Table Conferences
✅ First time Indians were given a platform to discuss governance with the British.
✅ Led to the Government of India Act, 1935, which later influenced India’s Constitution.
✅ Highlighted communal differences, especially on separate electorates.
✅ Strengthened the demands of Congress for complete independence.
✅ Showed British reluctance to grant India full self-rule immediately.
❌ Ultimately, all three RTCs failed because:
- The British refused to grant full independence.
- Congress and Muslim League had conflicting demands.
- Separate electorates deepened Hindu-Muslim divisions, paving the way for Partition in 1947.
📜 Conclusion
The Round Table Conferences were Britain’s attempt to discuss India’s future but failed due to lack of consensus. They deepened communal divisions, leading to the Poona Pact (1932), Government of India Act (1935), and ultimately the Partition of India (1947).