29.Second and Third Round Table Conference and Poona Pact

Question 1

When did the Second Round Table Conference take place?

Answer 1

The Second Round Table Conference took place on September 7, 1931.

Question 2

Why was the Second Round Table Conference held?

Answer 2

The Second Round Table Conference was held to address the ineffectiveness of the First Round Table Conference and to actively involve Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress in the discussions.

Question 3

Who represented the Indian National Congress in the Second Round Table Conference?

Answer 3

The Indian National Congress was represented solely by Mahatma Gandhi in the Second Round Table Conference. A. Rangaswami Iyengar and Madan Mohan Malaviya were also present.

Question 4

What was the composition of the British government during the Second Round Table Conference?

Answer 4

The British government during the Second Round Table Conference was led by Prime Minister MacDonald, who was heading a coalition government (the “National Government”) with a Conservative majority. Sir Samuel Hoare served as the Secretary of State for India.

Question 5

What was the stance of the Right Wing or Conservatives in Britain regarding the Congress’s participation in the conference?

Answer 5

The Right Wing or Conservatives in Britain, led by Churchill, strongly opposed the British government negotiating with the Congress on an equal footing and instead advocated for a strong government in India.

Question 6

Who claimed to speak for all Indians against imperialism at the Second Round Table Conference?

Answer 6

Gandhi (and thus the Congress) claimed to speak for all Indians against imperialism at the Second Round Table Conference.

Question 7

How did the British government view the representation of the Congress at the conference?

Answer 7

Due to the large number of participating groups, the British government claimed that the Congress did not represent the interests of all of India.

Question 8

What were some of the demands made by Gandhi at the conference?

Answer 8

Gandhi demanded the immediate establishment of a responsible government at the national and provincial levels. He also emphasized the importance of a partnership between Britain and India based on equality.

Question 9

How did Gandhi view the idea of separate electorates for untouchables and minorities?

Answer 9

Gandhi rejected the idea of a separate electorate for untouchables, stating that they were Hindus and should not be treated as a minority. He also believed that separate electorates or special safeguards for Muslims or other minorities were unnecessary.

Question 10

What issue led to a halt in the session and the formation of the ‘Minorities’ Pact’?

Answer 10

The issue of minorities, particularly the demand for separate electorates by Muslims, the poor, Christians, and Anglo-Indians, led to a halt in the session and the formation of the ‘Minorities’ Pact.’

Question 11

How did Gandhi respond to the concerted effort to tie constitutional progress to the resolution of the minorities issue?

Answer 11

Gandhi fought valiantly against this effort, considering it an obstacle to constitutional progress and advocating for a focus on equality and partnership between Britain and India instead.

Question 12

What was one of the key issues discussed at the Second Round Table Conference?

Answer 12

The establishment of a responsible government, both at the center and in the provinces, was a key issue discussed at the conference.

Question 13

Who did Gandhi claim to be the sole representative of at the Second Round Table Conference?

Answer 13

Gandhi claimed that the Congress was the sole representative of political India at the conference.

Question 14

What was Gandhi’s stance on the status of Untouchables and separate electorates?

Answer 14

Gandhi believed that Untouchables were Hindus and should not be considered a “minority.” He opposed separate electorates and special protections for Muslims or other minorities.

Question 15

How did the other Indian delegates respond to Gandhi’s claims?

Answer 15

The other Indian delegates rejected Gandhi’s claims and did not agree with his stance on various issues.

Question 16

What issue caused a deadlock at the conference?

Answer 16

The issue of minorities, particularly the demand for separate electorates, led to a deadlock at the Second Round Table Conference. Muslims, Dalits, Christians, Anglo Indians, and Europeans among others were demanding separate electorates.

Question 17

How did the formation of the coalition government in England affect the Second Round Table Conference?

Answer 17

The formation of the coalition government in England shifted the atmosphere of the conference.

Question 18

What was the outcome of the Second Round Table Conference in terms of the Congress and minorities?

Answer 18

The outcome widened the gap between the Congress and the minorities.

Question 19

What did the minorities, except for Sikhs, demand at the conference?

Answer 19

The minorities, including Dalits, wanted their own separate electorates.

Question 20

What were the announcements made by British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald at the conclusion of the session?

Answer 20

The announcements included the creation of two Muslim majority provinces (NWFP and Sindh), the formation of an Indian Consultative Committee, and the establishment of three expert committees (finance, franchise, and states). The British government also threatened a unilateral Communal Award if Indians did not agree.

Question 21

What action did Gandhi take upon his return to India after the conference?

Answer 21

Upon his return, Gandhi relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement, but he was promptly arrested.

Question 22

When was the third Round Table Conference held?

Answer 22

The third Round Table Conference was held from November 17, 1932, to December 24, 1932.

Question 23

Why did the Congress refuse to attend the third Round Table Conference?

Answer 23

Congress refused to attend because many of its leaders were imprisoned for continuing the Civil Disobedience Movement and undertaking salt Satyagraha.

Question 24

What was the key outcome of the Third Round Table Conference?

Answer 24

The key outcome was the issuance of the “White Paper” by the government, which laid the foundation for the Government of India Act 1935.

Question 25

Who proposed the name “Pakistan” during the conference?

Answer 25

Chaudhary Rahmat Ali, a college student, proposed the name “Pakistan” for the new land carved out of India specifically for Muslims.

Question 26

Which Muslim leaders attended the third Round Table Conference?

Answer 26

Muhammad Ali, Agha Khan, Fazlul Haq, and Jinnah were among the Muslim leaders who attended the conference.

Question 27

Why was the third Round Table Conference considered a setback?

Answer 27

The absence of political leaders and Maharajas resulted in no important issues being discussed during the conference.

Question 28

When was the Communal Award announced?

Answer 28

The Communal Award was announced on August 16, 1932.

Question 29

What did the Communal Award provide for?

Answer 29

The Communal Award provided for separate electorates for various communities, including the Depressed Classes, Europeans, Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, and Indian-based Christians.

Question 30

Why was Mahatma Gandhi opposed to the Communal Award?

Answer 30

Gandhi saw the Communal Award as a means of dividing Indians into special-interest groups and weakening the national movement.

Question 31

Initially, who supported the Communal Award and why?

Answer 31

Initially, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar supported the Communal Award because he believed that political solutions like separate electorates would help uplift the oppressed classes.

Question 32

When was the Poona Pact signed and where?

Answer 32

The Poona Pact was signed on September 24, 1932, at the Yerwada Central Jail in Pune.

Question 33

What did the Poona Pact achieve regarding separate electorates?

Answer 33

The Poona Pact abolished separate electorates for the depressed classes but increased the number of reserved seats for them in provincial legislatures and the central legislature.

Question 34

Whose recommendations formed the basis of the Communal Award?

Answer 34

The Communal Award was based on the recommendations of the Lothian Committee (Indian Franchise Committee) Report.

Question 35

Who signed the Poona Pact on behalf of the oppressed classes and on behalf of Hindus and Gandhi?

Answer 35

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar signed on behalf of the oppressed classes, and Madan Mohan Malviya signed on behalf of Hindus and Gandhi.

Question 36

What term did Gandhi use to refer to the Depressed classes?

Answer 36

Gandhi referred to the Depressed classes as ‘Harijan,’ which meant people of God.

Question 37

What was the basis of the Gandhian Approach towards the caste system?

Answer 37

The Gandhian Approach was based on faith and spirituality.

Question 38

What was the goal of the Gandhian Approach?

Answer 38

he goal of the Gandhian Approach was to socially sensitize the people and bring about social change.

Question 39

How would you describe the nature of the Gandhian Approach?

Answer 39

The Gandhian Approach was social in nature, focusing on addressing social issues and inequalities.

Question 40

What term did Dr. Ambedkar use to refer to the Depressed classes?

Answer 40

Dr. Ambedkar referred to the Depressed classes as ‘Dalit,’ which meant ‘broken/fragmented.’

Question 41

What was the basis of Dr. Ambedkar’s approach towards the caste system?

Answer 41

Dr. Ambedkar’s approach was a right-based approach, focusing on the political rights and identity of the Depressed classes.

Question 42

What was the aim of Dr. Ambedkar’s approach?

Answer 42

The aim of Dr. Ambedkar’s approach was the annihilation of the caste system.

Question 43

What was the main focus of Dr. Ambedkar’s approach?

Answer 43

Dr. Ambedkar’s approach focused on giving political identity and political rights to the Depressed classes.