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Simon Commission 1927 and Bardoli Satyagraha 1928

Here are some important points related to the Simon Commission of 1927 and the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928:

• Belgaum Session - 1924: MK Gandhi's Presidency: Mahatma Gandhi served as the President of the 39th Congress Session held at Belgaum.
• Kanpur Session - 1925: Sarojini Naidu's Presidency: Sarojini Naidu became the second woman to preside over the Congress, following Annie Besant.

Simon Commission - 1927

• The Act of 1919 had a provision for review after a decade, leading to the formation of the Simon Commission in 1927, named after its chair, Sir John Simon.
• Comprising solely English members, the Commission lacked Indian representation, sparking pre-arrival criticism.
• The Congress Party, among others, decided to boycott and oppose the Commission due to its composition.
• Upon the Commission's arrival in Bombay on February 3, 1928, a nationwide hartal ensued with protests marked by black flags and "Simon go back" chants.
• Lahore witnessed a significant anti-Simon Commission protest in October 1928, led by Lala Lajpat Rai, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during police action.
• Published in May 1930, the Simon Commission's report criticized the failed Dyarchy system, recommending autonomous governance instead.
• This report laid the groundwork for the Government of India Act of 1935.
• Clement Atlee, a Commission member, later became Britain's Prime Minister during India's independence and partition in 1947.

Bardoli Satyagraha - 1928

• The tax rate in the Bombay Presidency was increased by 30% in 1928, despite pleas from civic groups to revoke the hike during a time of hardship for farmers.
• Farmers were in a dire situation, struggling to meet the increased tax demands as they had scant resources left for sustenance after settling their dues.
• On February 6, 1928, Sardar Patel, under Gandhi's guidance, initiated a Satyagraha in Bardoli to protest the unjust tax imposition.
• The Satyagraha persisted until August 6, 1928, when an agreement was finally reached with the government, marking a significant triumph.
• This successful campaign played a pivotal role in elevating Patel to a prominent position among the leaders of the independence movement.