Indian National Congress leaders did not attend the first Round Table...
- When the Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928, it was greeted with the slogan ‘Go back, Simon’. All parties, including the Congress and the Muslim League, participated in the demonstrations.
- To win them over, the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, announced in October 1929, a vague offer of dominion status for India in an unspecified future, and a Round Table Conference to discuss a future constitution. This did not satisfy the Congress leaders.
- The radicals within the Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose, became more assertive. The liberals and moderates, who were proposing a constitutional system within British dominion, gradually lost their influence.
Indian National Congress leaders did not attend the first Round Table...
Background of the Round Table Conferences
The Round Table Conferences were a series of meetings held in London between 1930 and 1932 to discuss constitutional reforms in India. The first conference, held in 1930, was pivotal as it set the stage for the future political landscape.
Reasons for Congress's Absence
The Indian National Congress (INC) leaders chose not to attend the first Round Table Conference for several compelling reasons:
- Vague Dominions Status
The British government proposed a vague dominion status for India, which was seen by the Congress as insufficient for achieving complete independence. The INC aimed for a full self-governing status rather than a limited dominion arrangement, which they felt undermined their struggle for ‘Swaraj’ or self-rule.
- No Discussion on Future Constitution
There was no substantial offer regarding discussions about a future constitution. The Congress wanted a clear and definitive roadmap towards complete self-governance, which was lacking in the proposals presented.
- Exclusion from the Conference
While the Congress was a major political force, it was not formally invited to the conference. This exclusion was viewed as a deliberate effort by the British to sideline the Congress and engage with other political factions.
- Inclusion of Dalit and Muslim Leaders
The British government's invitation to Dalit and Muslim leaders was perceived as an attempt to create divisions within the nationalist movement. The INC believed that this tactic contradicted their vision of a united India striving for independence.
Conclusion
In summary, the Indian National Congress's non-participation in the first Round Table Conference stemmed primarily from the dissatisfaction with the vague dominion status proposed by the British government, which did not align with their aspirations for complete independence.