During the Madras Session in December 1927, young leaders like Jawahar Lal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose had proposed the resolution for complete independence which was however defeated and the action of Jawahar Lal was not appreciated by Gandhi. ⁣

Irwin, the Viceroy of India, had watched with great concern the unanimity of Indians in opposing the Simon Commission. There was opposition in London also against giving concessions to the Indians and it was debated in the Parliament. ⁣

With this background, Gandhi issued the statement on 2 November, 1929. It was, in a way, an attempt to find a middle path. In the statement, it was suggested, that in the coming Round Table Conference, the features of Dominion Status to India would be discussed, that there would be majority of Congress delegates in the Conference and there would be issues of general amnesty and conciliation. In this way, there were four main demands for the Commission.⁣

Gandhi met Irwin on 23 November 1929 where Irwin rejected the offer given in Delhi Statement.⁣

The rejection of demands put forward by Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi Manifesto led to Lahore Congress session. Later, under the civil disobedience movement, Gandhi put forward 11 demands and gave an ultimatum of January 31, 1930, to accept or reject. ⁣

So Viceroy Irwin suggested a round table conference in July 1930 and reiterated the goal of dominion status.⁣

Later a pact was signed in Delhi, which came to be known as Delhi-Pact or Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Under the pact, Gandhi had accepted to participate in the second Round Table Conference after holding back the Civil Disobedience Movement. ⁣