Simon Commission Report
The Simon Commission was a group of seven British parliamentarians who were appointed by the British government to investigate and make recommendations for constitutional reforms in India. It was named after its chairman, Sir John Simon.
Background
The Indian National Congress had been demanding greater self-government and had called for a boycott of the British government's attempts to reform the Indian constitution. In response, the British government established the Simon Commission to investigate and make recommendations for constitutional reforms in India.
Composition of the Commission
The Simon Commission was composed of seven British parliamentarians, all of whom were white men. There were no Indian members of the commission, which was seen as a major flaw by many Indians.
Recommendations of the Commission
In 1930, the Simon Commission submitted its report which recommended several changes to the Indian constitution. These included:
- Separating Burma from India and granting it separate status
- Creating separate electorates for Muslims
- Expanding provincial autonomy
- Creating a federal structure for India
Reaction to the Commission's Report
The Simon Commission's report was met with widespread criticism and opposition in India. Many Indians were angry that there were no Indian members of the commission and felt that the recommendations did not go far enough in granting self-government to India.
Conclusion
The Simon Commission's report played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and helped to galvanize support for the Indian National Congress and other nationalist groups. It also highlighted the need for greater Indian representation in the British government's decision-making processes.