Second Round Table Conference

The Second Round Table Conference was a British-convened meeting in London in 1931 to discuss India’s future constitutional structure. It was important because the Indian National Congress participated in Round Table negotiations for the first time, but disagreements over responsible government and minority representation prevented a settlement.

Congress enters the negotiations

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact enabled Gandhi to attend as the sole official representative of the Indian National Congress, which had boycotted the First Round Table Conference. His participation gave the negotiations greater political significance because Congress led the principal mass movement against colonial rule.

• Gandhi argued that Congress represented the common national interest and demanded effective transfer of political power.
• The British treated representatives of minorities, princely states and other interests as distinct negotiating parties, challenging Congress’s representative claim.

Central constitutional disputes

The conference discussed an All-India Federation, responsible government and safeguards for minorities. Although federation involving British Indian provinces and princely states gained support in principle, its structure and the extent of British control remained unresolved.

• Gandhi opposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes, regarding them as part of Hindu society.
• B. R. Ambedkar demanded independent political safeguards for the Depressed Classes, producing a major disagreement with Gandhi.
• Communal representation for Muslims, Sikhs and other groups remained a central source of deadlock.

Outcome and constitutional significance

The conference ended without an agreed constitutional settlement. Its failure demonstrated that the British strategy of negotiating separately with communal and sectional interests could obstruct a unified transfer-of-power agreement.

• The unresolved minority question was followed by the Communal Award of 1932 and the subsequent Poona Pact.
• Federal proposals discussed through the Round Table process influenced the Government of India Act, 1935, which provided for provincial autonomy and an all-India federation, although the federation never came into operation.
• Congress resumed the Civil Disobedience Movement after negotiations failed, showing the limits of constitutional dialogue without substantive transfer of power.