The Simon Commission was a group appointed by the British Government in 1927 to review the constitutional arrangements of India and recommend changes. The commission was headed by Sir John Simon, a British politician, and included several other British politicians and Indian representatives. The commission's report, published in 1930, recommended limited reforms to India's constitution, but fell short of the demands of Indian nationalists for self-government and political freedom. The report was widely criticized by Indian political leaders, who rejected its recommendations and demanded complete independence from British rule. The Simon Commission and its report were significant in shaping the Indian independence movement and the eventual transfer of power from British colonial rule to Indian self-government.

The Simon Commission, formally known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was a group of seven British parliamentarians led by Sir John Simon, established in 1927 by the British government. The primary objective of the commission was to review and analyze the functioning of the constitutional system in British India and suggest potential reforms.

The commission was met with widespread opposition and resentment from the Indian political spectrum due to its all-British membership, which was seen as a blatant disregard for Indian representation. As a result, it faced nationwide protests, strikes, and boycotts led by prominent Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, who demanded greater self-governance for India. The slogan "Simon Go Back" became synonymous with the Indian resistance against the commission.

Despite the opposition, the Simon Commission submitted its report in 1930, recommending the continuance of British rule, albeit with some constitutional changes. It suggested the establishment of representative provincial governments and the extension of provincial autonomy. However, it did not address the demand for full self-governance, which led to further discontent among Indians.

The Simon Commission's recommendations eventually led to the Government of India Act of 1935, which expanded the provincial autonomy but fell short of granting complete self-governance to India. The commission, thus, played a significant role in shaping the constitutional and political landscape of British India, but it also fueled the Indian freedom struggle by highlighting the need for Indian representation in matters concerning their own nation.

The Simon Commission

The Simon Commission, officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was a group formed by the British government in 1927 to study and propose constitutional reforms for India. It was named after its chairman, Sir John Simon, a British statesman and lawyer.

Background

1. After World War I, there was a growing demand for self-rule and greater participation in the governance of India.
2. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 fell short of meeting these demands, leading to increased discontent among Indian nationalists.
3. In 1927, the British government decided to appoint a commission to examine the political situation in India and propose reforms.

Composition and Purpose

1. The Simon Commission consisted of seven British members, with no Indian representation.
2. Its purpose was to assess the working of the 1919 reforms, consider further constitutional changes, and determine the future of India's political system.

Response and Criticism

1. The appointment of an all-British commission without any Indian representation was met with widespread criticism and protests in India.
2. The Indian National Congress and other nationalist groups boycotted the Commission, arguing that it was not a representative body and its recommendations would be biased.
3. The Commission's arrival in India in 1928 was marked by large-scale protests and demonstrations, with the demand for complete independence gaining momentum.

The Nehru Report

1. In response to the Simon Commission, the Indian National Congress appointed a committee led by Motilal Nehru to draft a constitution for India.
2. The Nehru Report, published in 1928, proposed dominion status for India within the British Empire and called for a fully elected legislative assembly.

Outcome and Significance

1. The Simon Commission's final report, published in 1930, recommended limited constitutional reforms but fell short of meeting nationalist aspirations.
2. The Commission's rejection of complete independence further fueled the demand for Purna Swaraj (complete self-rule) in India.
3. The Simon Commission and the protests against it marked a significant turning point in India's struggle for independence, strengthening the resolve of Indian nationalists to fight for their rights.

In conclusion, the Simon Commission was a British government initiative to study and propose constitutional reforms for India. However, its composition and lack of Indian representation led to widespread criticism and protests. The Commission's recommendations fell short of meeting nationalist demands, further fueling the demand for complete independence. The protests against the Simon Commission played a crucial role in mobilizing Indian nationalists and shaping the course of India's struggle for independence.