Why did most members of the Indian National Congress not attend the first Round Table Conference?

• A. They were overseas for negotiations
• B. They were in jail for the Civil Disobedience Movement
• C. They were boycotting the conference
• D. They were busy in local elections

Answer: (B)

The reason most members of the Indian National Congress did not attend the first Round Table Conference is primarily due to their involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement, which led to many leaders being imprisoned. The Round Table Conferences were held in the early 1930s, a time marked by significant political unrest in India as the Congress was actively engaged in resisting British rule through nonviolent protest, which ultimately resulted in the arrest of numerous leaders and members.

With prominent figures and many Congress activists incarcerated, their absence from the conference was a direct consequence of the government’s crackdown on the movement. The Congress's approach at this time reflected their strategy of non-cooperation with the British authorities, which included boycotting British institutions and negotiations that they felt did not represent genuine Indian interests.

While there were sentiments of boycott and various local activities taking place, the pivotal factor was the imprisonment of key Congress leaders, immobilizing the organization from participating in the conference effectively. This context illustrates the tension between British officials and Indian nationalists during the struggle for independence and emphasizes the Congress's commitment to mobilizing support against colonial rule, even at the expense of participating in such pivotal discussions.