[The Round Table conference]

"..the Indian nationalist movement pledged to fight against fascism side by side with the United Nations, but this could happen only if the Indian people were in control of the government of their country.."

In March 1931 the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed under which the movement was called off. The government promised to release all political prisoners except those charged with acts of violence.

The Congress agreed to participate in the Second Round Table conference which had been called to consider a scheme for a new constitution for India. The Civil Disobedience Movement was revived on Gandhiji's return from the Round Table Conference in London, when Lord Wellingdon, the new Viceroy, declined to grant even an interview to Gandhiji. Gandhiji was arrested. The movement continued for 2 years. The repression of the government was more severe than it had been before. By April 1933, about 120,000 persons had been imprisoned .

In May 1934, the entire Civil Disobedience Movement was called off. The Civil Disobedience Movement had involved millions of people, young and old men and women, people belonging to all religions and communities. The communal organizations of both Hindus and Muslims during this period concentrated on seats in the legislatures and refrained from an active role in the independence movement. In the elections held in 1937 the Congress won an absolute majority in 6 provinces and 3 other provinces, it emerged as the single largest party. In July 1937,it formed ministries in 6 provinces on the assurance of the Viceroy that the governors would not interfere in the administration. In November 1939, the congress ministers in the provinces resigned because it was now clear that Britain was pursuing her own imperialist ends in the war. The Indian nationalist movement pledged to fight against fascism side by side with the United Nations, but this could happen only if the Indian people were in control of the government of their country. Many countries, allies against fascism, put pressure on the British Government to concede the demand of the Indian people.