The First Round Table Conference was conducted from November 12, 1930, to January 19, 1931. The Congress boycotted the meeting as the British government refused to consider the Congress’s demand for Poorna Swaraj. The meeting brought together delegates from princely states, ethnic populations, and the poor. However, without Congress, no agreement on Indian issues could be reached. 

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About First Round Table Conference 1930

The British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald presided over the 1st Round Table Conference. On November 12, 1930, His Majesty George V officially inaugurated it at the Royal Gallery House of Lords in London. A total of sixteen delegates represented the three British political parties. There were 58 political figures from British India and 16 delegations from princely kingdoms in attendance.

The Conference had a total of 74 Indian delegates. The Indian National Congress and Indian business executives, on the other hand, stayed absent from the meeting. Many of them were imprisoned as a result of their involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement. 

Tej Bahadur Sapru pushed the notion of an All-India Federation to the forefront of debate. Other major topics discussed included the executive’s accountability to the legislature and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s desire for a separate electorate for the Untouchables.

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Background of the First Round Table Conference 1930

• The 1st Round Table Conference was a series of meetings held in London in 1930 to discuss the future of India.
• The conference was called by the British government. It was in response to the growing Indian independence movement.
• The Indian National Congress (INC) boycotted the conference, demanding complete independence for India.
• Only a few moderate Indian leaders attended the conference. This included Madan Mohan Malaviya and Srinivasa Sastri.
• The conference failed to reach any agreement on the future of India, and it was adjourned sine die.

Participants of the First Round Table Conference

The following individuals attended the 1st Round Table Conference:

• Three British political parties sent a total of 16 delegates.
• There were a total of 74 Indian representatives in attendance.
  • 58 representatives from political parties in India.
  • 16 delegates from princely states
• Universities, Burma, Sindh, and other provinces were also represented, along with landlords (from Bihar, the United Provinces, and Orissa).

Most of them were behind bars for participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Hence, neither the Indian National Congress nor any notable leaders from India took part.

Objectives of The First Round Table Conference 1930

• The first round table conference’s main goal was to calm the rising tides of nationalism in India, which were led by Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
• The INC had started the Civil Disobedience movement, which had frightened various parts of the British political elite, prompting them to seek out Indians for discussions.
• Another goal of the first round table meeting was to debate constitutional amendments based on the Simon Commission’s findings, which were established by the British government previously.
• Another goal of the first round table conference was to use the strategy of divide and rule to generate discord among Indians.

Issues discussed in First Round Table Conference 1930

In the First Round Table Conference of 1930, a variety of important issues were discussed, including:

• Creating a system where power is shared between a central government and individual provinces.
• Talks focused on how each province should have its own set of rules and governance.
• The concerns and opinions of provinces like Sindh and NWFP (North-West Frontier Province) were taken into account.
• Safeguarding the rights of minority communities was emphasized to ensure fair representation.
• The coordination and control of defense services were discussed to maintain security and order.
• The process of allowing people to vote and choose their representatives was a key topic of conversation.
• The idea of making the government accountable to the legislature was debated.
• Dr. B R Ambedkar advocated for separate electorates for the 'untouchables.'
• Tej Bahadur Sapru proposed the concept of an All-India Federation. This was supported by the Muslim League and princely states, with a condition to preserve their internal sovereignty.

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Contribution of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in the First Round Table Conference 1930

• During his presentation at the 1931 Round Table conference, Dr. Ambedkar defined Indian society as being split into three different sections: Hindus, Muslims, and the poor.
• He went on to say that India can only be genuinely independent if these classes elect their own representatives to participate in the political process.
• As a result, Dr. Ambedkar contrasted the caste idea in India, categorising SC/ST as a downtrodden class since they are virtually all in the same economic and social position.
• As a result, in the 1930s, he wanted a separate electorate for the poor.

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Congress Participation in the First Round Table Conference 1930

• The Congress boycotted the First Round Table Conference.
• The other Indian members and representatives of the Indian Princes agreed to create an Indian Federation with a parliamentary style of government, which would include the Native States.
• The conference approved Dominion Status with a Cabinet-style executive based on collective accountability.

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First Round Table Conference’s Consequences

Here are the consequences of the First Round Table Conference in 1930:

• The conference failed to reach any agreement on the future of India. This led to further frustration and anger among the Indians.
• The conference alienated the Indian National Congress (INC), the leading independence movement. The INC boycotted the conference, and its leaders were not invited to take part.
• The conference strengthened the position of the Muslim League, a rival independence movement. The Muslim League was invited to take part in the conference. Its leaders were able to put forward their demands for a separate Muslim state.
• The conference increased the polarization between Hindus and Muslims in India. The issue of separate electorates for minorities was a major source of contention between the two communities.
• The conference damaged the reputation of the British government in India. The British government was seen as being unwilling to give independence to India. This led to a loss of trust and confidence among the Indian people.

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