**The Simon Commission: An Overview**

The Simon Commission, officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was a group formed in 1927 by the British Government to assess the constitutional reforms in India. The commission was named after its chairman, Sir John Simon, a British politician. It was sent to India to gather opinions and recommendations regarding constitutional reforms and to evaluate the progress made by the Government of India Act 1919.

**Background and Purpose**

1. *Government of India Act 1919*: The Act of 1919 introduced limited reforms in India, including the diarchy system that divided power between British authorities and Indian ministers. However, it fell short of meeting Indian aspirations for self-governance and greater participation in decision-making.

2. *Demand for Reforms*: The Indian National Congress and other nationalist groups demanded further reforms and a more inclusive government structure. The British Government initiated the Simon Commission to address these demands and assess the political climate in India.

**Composition and Work of the Commission**

1. *Members*: The Simon Commission consisted of seven members, all of whom were British. Sir John Simon served as the chairman, and the other members were notable figures from various fields, including law, administration, and politics.

2. *Purpose*: The commission's primary objective was to evaluate the functioning of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest possible amendments or reforms. It also aimed to gather opinions from various stakeholders and assess the overall political situation in India.

3. *Visit to India*: The Simon Commission arrived in India in 1928 and embarked on an extensive tour across the country. They held meetings with Indian leaders, political parties, and organizations to gauge their views on constitutional reforms. However, one significant controversy arose during their visit when they were met with widespread protests due to the absence of any Indian members on the commission.

**Reactions and Outcomes**

1. *Boycott and Protests*: The absence of Indian representation on the commission led to widespread protests and boycotts by Indian political parties and organizations. The commission faced strong opposition, with many considering it a means for the British Government to delay granting full self-governance to India.

2. *Nehru Report*: In response to the Simon Commission, the Indian National Congress appointed a committee headed by Jawaharlal Nehru. This committee drafted the Nehru Report, which called for full independence and dominion status for India. It served as a significant milestone in India's struggle for freedom.

3. *Limited Impact*: The Simon Commission's final report was published in 1930, but its recommendations did not result in significant reforms. The report suggested some changes in the administration and legislative structure but fell short of meeting the demands of Indian nationalists.

**Conclusion**

The Simon Commission played a crucial role in shaping the Indian nationalist movement by highlighting the demand for self-governance and constitutional reforms. Despite facing widespread opposition and protests, the commission's visit and subsequent report contributed to the growing momentum of the Indian independence movement. The demand for full independence grew stronger, eventually leading to the adoption of the Government of India Act 1935 and, eventually, India's independence in 1947.

#The New Tory Government in Britain constituted a statutory commission under Sir John Simon.#The Commission was to look into functioning of constitutional system in India and suggest changes.#They came in 1928#The Commission did not have a single Indian member.#When the commission arrived in India, it was greeted by slogans “Simon, Go Back”.#All parties, including Congress and Muslim League, participated in the demonstrations. (Lala Lajpat Rai was arrested and soon he died. Govind Ballbh Pant was laticharged, remained crippled for life).These r only some highlights, read it once in textbook.