(a) The Indian National Congress in its Lahore session had declared “Poorna Swaraj” or Complete Independence as its ultimate goal. Earlier the Indian demand of Dominion status was rejected by Lord Irwin. The British rulers were in no mood to relent. Against this background, Gandhiji had written a letter to Viceroy Irwin urging him to implement eleven point programme for fulfilling people’s welfare. On receiving a negative response from the Viceroy, the Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Gandhiji. It aimed at forcing the government to meet the Indian demands. 

(b) The Second Round Table Conference of 1931:

Gandhiji was chosen as the sole representative of the Congress for the Second Round Table Conference. The Conference devoted most of its time to the communal question and the representation of minorities—the Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians and Anglo Indians—in legislatures, both at the centre and in the provinces. Gandhiji was disgusted to find that most leaders seemed concerned only about seats in legislature for their respective communities. The question of Independence or of setting up a responsible government receded into background. Gandhiji returned “empty handed” to India. 

(c) Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931: The repressive and harsh measures used by the British to crush the Civil Disobedience Movement could not suppress the spirit of the people. The government released Gandhiji for negotiating with Viceroy Lord Irwin. After long discussions Gandhiji and Lord Irwin signed a pact on 5 March 1931, popularly called as Gandhiji-Irwin pact. 

According to it, Lord Irwin agreed: 

1. To release all the political prisoners except those convicted for violence and killing. 

2. To permit peaceful picketing of the shops selling foreign goods. 

3. To permit Indians living near sea shore to manufacture salt without paying duty. 

4. To withdraw the ordinances promulgated during the Civil Disobedience Movement.

 On the other hand, Gandhiji agreed : 

1. To suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement. 

2. To stop boycott of British goods. 

3. To attend Second Round Table conference for resolving Indian Political Problem.