Simon Commission:

The Simon Commission, also known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was a group set up by the British Government in 1927 to propose reforms for the governance of British India. The commission was named after its chairman, Sir John Simon, and consisted of seven British members, including three members of the British Parliament, and two Indian members. The commission was created to evaluate the functioning of the Government of India Act 1919 and to make recommendations for further reforms.

Purpose of the Simon Commission:

The Simon Commission was established to:
1. Review the progress made under the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest reforms for the better governance of India.
2. Determine the extent of Indian participation in the governance of British India.
3. Assess the demand for constitutional reforms and self-governance in India.

Reaction of the Indian National Congress:

The Indian National Congress, which was at the forefront of the Indian freedom movement, boycotted the Simon Commission. They argued that since the commission did not include any Indian members from the Congress, it did not have the legitimacy to make decisions about India's future. The Congress demanded that the commission should be composed entirely of Indian members and be responsible for drafting a new constitution for India.

Impact and Outcomes:

The Simon Commission's recommendations were published in 1930 in a report known as the Simon Report. The report suggested limited constitutional reforms, including an increase in the number of Indians in the executive council and the establishment of a federal government in India. However, the recommendations fell short of the demands of the Indian National Congress for complete self-rule.

The failure of the Simon Commission to address the demands of the Indian National Congress further intensified the Indian freedom movement. It led to widespread protests, demonstrations, and the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Simon Commission played a significant role in uniting Indians against British rule and highlighting the need for full self-governance.

Conclusion:

The Simon Commission was an important milestone in the Indian freedom movement. Although it failed to meet the expectations of the Indian National Congress, it played a crucial role in mobilizing the Indian population and galvanizing the demand for complete independence from British rule. The commission's recommendations and the subsequent protests contributed to the eventual transfer of power from the British government to an independent India.

The Simon Commission was a group of 7 MPs from Britain who were sent to India in 1928 to study constitutional reforms and make recommendations to the government. The Commission was originally named the Indian Statutory Commission. It came to be known as the Simon Commission after its chairman Sir John Simon.