Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) and Simon Commission | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

• The Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 in Gujarat was a significant event of civil disobedience and revolt during the Indian Independence Movement. Led by Vallabhbhai Patel, the movement's success propelled him to become a key leader in the struggle for independence.
• Similar to the Kheda peasant struggle, the Bardoli movement was a no-tax campaign.
• In 1922, Bardoli was chosen by Gandhiji as the starting point for the Civil Disobedience Campaign. However, the movement was postponed due to the events in Chauri Chaura.
• Gandhiji selected Bardoli for the campaign because the area had previously witnessed and participated in constructive work.

 The socio-economic background of Bardoli and Construtive Works by Gandhains

• Cultivators in Surat taluka were divided into two classes:
• 'Kali Paraj' and 'Ujla Paraj.'
• 'Kali Paraj' refers to black-skinned peasants, including lower castes, tribals, backward classes, untouchables.Gandhiji noted their extreme poverty and near-slave conditions in Bardoli.
• 'Ujla Paraj' means fair-complexioned people, including upper and well-to-do castes like Patidar, Vania, Brahmin.
• The Patidars were a prosperous class of peasants with poor relations with lower castes, small, marginal farmers, agricultural laborers.
• Patidars could invest surplus money in land improvement, with some working in London and Africa and using that money for land purchase and irrigation facilities.
• The land in Surat taluka was fertile, especially the black soil suited for cotton crops.
• Relations between Kali Paraj and landlords were marked by exploitation,with the stock of Kali Paraj people mainly consisting of Dubla,also known as Halpati.

Hali system:

• The Dubla or Hali borrowed money from the Patidar or other Uljiparaj and in repayment of it worked as his master’s permanent agricultural laborer for a lifetime, simply because he could never repay the loan.
• Consequently, for a Hali the chain of bondage continued from one generation to another.
• The fact that until 1938 no movement was launched for freeing the Dubla agricultural serfs. And, the abolition of the Hali system in Surat district, suggests how deeply serfdom was rooted in the agrarian system there.

Beneficiaries and Antagonism:

• The Ujli Paraj peasants cornered most of the benefits in terms of ownership of land and other facilities.
• This created an antagonism between the rich and big Patidar peasants and the poor and marginal peasants and agricultural laborers.

Gandhian Initiatives:

• At the initiation of Gandhiji, some constructive work was started in the entire Bardoli taluka by Gandhian like Mehta brothers, Keshavji Ganeshji.
• On the one hand schools, ashrams and hostels were started whereas on the other hand reform movements were begun.
• This created an awakening among the peasant masses to get mobilised for fulfilling their demands.
• The constructive programmes also trained the youths to prepare for non-violence and satyagraha movement.
• They gave Kaliparaj tribals less derogatory name of Raniparaj(inhabitants of the forest) and exhorted them against the hali system under which they laboured as hereditary labourers for uljiparaj.

Patidar Yuvak Mandals:

• Patidar Yuvak Mandals were constituted for the social reforms of the members of Patidar community.
• These youth associations had not only created unity among the Patidars but also developed among them a sense of antagonism against the peasants of lower castes.

Gandhiji's Visit and Observations:

• There is an interesting anecdote given by Gandhiji in Harijan.
• He happened to visit Bardoli and was accompanied by Mahadev Desai.
• Desai reported the anecdote in Harijan: In 1921 when Gandhiji asked someone about the population of Bardoli taluka, he said it was 60,000, the poor Dubla(Halpati) and the Chaudhra(tribal) not counting at all, whereas, they were not less than one-third of these.

Impact of Constructive Work:

• As a result of the constructive work done by Gandhiji, the spinning wheelCharkha had become popular among the backward castes and tribes.
• A Swarajya Asharam was established in Surat and six similar centres were set up in Bardoli taluka to carry out constructive activities and to diffuse new political culture.
• Though the Patidars appeared to be benevolent to the lower castes, the harmonisation of the latter prepared a suitable ground for peasant satyagraha.

Events that Led to the Bardoli Satyagraha:

• In 1925, Bardoli, a taluka in Gujarat, faced devastating floods and famine, severely impacting crop production and plunging farmers into deep financial distress.
• Despite the dire circumstances, the Bombay Presidency government increased the tax rate by 30% that year. Petitions from civic groups pleading for a reconsideration of the hike were ignored.
• In January 1926, Jayakar, responsible for reassessing land revenue, recommended a 30 percent increase over the existing tax assessments.
• The Bardoli peasants contested this decision, arguing that the enhancement was unjust and based on inadequate investigation. They also challenged the accuracy of the tax official’s report, claiming it was flawed and did not warrant such a tax increase.

Start of Satyagraha

• The local Congress Party organization published a report showing that peasants were struggling to meet the increased assessments.
• In early 1927, a committee from the Congress drafted a petition and approached the Revenue Member of the State government.
• When the authorities dismissed these claims and refused to amend the law, the Bardoli peasants decided to launch a campaign.
• In September 1927, a conference in Bardoli was held where participants unanimously agreed to withhold payment of the increased assessment.
• On January 5, 1928, peasants invited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to lead the movement.
• Local leaders also reached out to Gandhiji, assuring him of their commitment to non-violence, officially started the movement.
• Patel accepted the presidency of the peasants' conference on February 4, 1928, initiating communication with the government.
• When the government refused to make any concessions, the peasants resolved on February 12, 1928, to demand an inquiry and to withhold payment.
• Gandhi supported the struggle through his writings in Young India and visited Bardoli two months after the satyagraha began.
• Active satyagrahis, or volunteers, along with sympathizers and cooperators, supported the campaign.
• Approximately 250 volunteers, including Hindus, Muslims, a few Parsis, participated in the movement.
• Several thousand Kaliparaj (aboriginals) were politically more aware due to constructive work by Gandhian efforts.
• Women, particularly those from Bardoli who gave Patel the title ‘Sardar’, were also well represented.
• The initial phase focused on educating participants about the struggle, emphasizing discipline and preparation for hardship.
• Leaders established 16 satyagraha camps in various villages, issuing daily news bulletins, pamphlets, speeches.
• The Bardoli taluka was divided into three camps, each led by an experienced leader.
• A group of 100 political workers and 1,500 volunteers, many of whom were students, formed the movement's non-violent army.
• Peasants took oaths in the names of Prabhu (Hindu god) and Khuda (Muslim god) not to pay land revenue.
• The resolution was followed by recitations from the Gita and the Koran and songs from Kabir, symbolizing Hindu-Muslim unity.
• The satyagraha began with the collection of signatures for the pledge, those refusing to sign faced social boycott.
• Efforts were made to persuade village headmen to become spokesmen for their villages instead of government agents.
• The main phase of the campaign included non-cooperation, trespass, submission to arrest, resignation from offices.
• Economic boycott was employed by refusing to supply non-essential goods and services to officials and opponents.
• The final step of usurping government functions was only partially present in the Bardoli campaign.
• Officials needed permission from the satyagraha headquarters to receive any services in the taluka, which alarmed the government.

Response of Government and Final Settlement:

• The government issued final notices urging the peasants to pay the assessment or face forfeiture of land. The peasants refused to comply with these notices.
• The government of Bombay became strict and took repressive measures such as attachment of land, crops, confiscation of cattle and other movable property. A large portion of land was forfeited by the government.
• The national leadership was greatly influenced by the satyagraha demonstrated by the Bardoli peasants.K.M. Munshi and Lalji Naranji resigned from the Bombay Legislative Council in support of the movement.
• This was followed by Vitthalbhai Patel's threat to resign as president of the Bombay Legislative Council.
• The pressure from the legislative assembly was so strong that the government had to adopt a softer approach towards the movement.
• Over time, the Bardoli peasant movement evolved into a new dimension.
• Workers in Bombay textile mills went on strike, there was a threat of a railway strike that would hinder the movement of troops and supplies to Bardoli.
• The spirit of Bardoli even reached Punjab, where many groups of peasants were sent to Bardoli.
• Another source of strength for the movement came from Gandhiji, who moved to Bardoli on August 2, 1928.
• The British government had significant stakes in the Bardoli agitation.
• The Simon Commission was about to arrive in India, the Congress announced a nation-wide boycott of the Simon Commission.
• Considering the national importance of Bardoli, the British government chose a gentler approach.
• Sardar Patel was contacted, some form of agreement was reached.
• On July 18, 1928, Governor Wilson offered terms to Patel, insisting on full payment before agreeing to an inquiry.
• Patel accepted the principle of an official inquiry but insisted it be judicial in nature and that representatives of the people be invited to give evidence.
• Patel also presented additional demands, including the discharge of all satyagrahi prisoners, restoration of forfeited lands, payment at market price for confiscated movable property, remission of all dismissals and punishments arising from the struggle.
• Patel reaffirmed the intention of the satyagrahis to reach a solution that was honorable and acceptable to both the government and the people.
• On August 4, the campaigners and government reached an agreement that met the satyagrahis’ demands.
• Patel agreed to the government's requirement of paying the original tax before granting the inquiry.
• The government formed an enquiry committee headed by judicial officer Broomfield and Maxwell to investigate the Bardoli agitation.
• The committee found the tax increase to be unjustified and recommended reducing the land tax enhancement from 30% to 6%.
• The government agreed to restore confiscated lands and properties, cancel the 30% tax increase not only for the current year but also for the following year.
• The farmers celebrated their victory, but Patel continued to ensure that all lands and properties were returned to every farmer, leaving no one out.

Importance of Bardoli Satyagraha:

• Although the campaign was limited to a local objective, it was integrated into the larger Indian struggle for self-government.
• The Bardoli Satyagraha influenced other peasant movements across the country and provided renewed strength to the national freedom movement. Gandhiji noted that the Bardoli struggle, while not a direct effort for swaraj, contributed to its realization.
• The movement bolstered the national freedom struggle, with Nehru highlighting its impact on the peasantry across India. Bardoli became a symbol of hope, strength, victory for Indian peasants.
• Besides Bardoli, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel also organized peasants in Kheda and Borsad (in Gujarat) against oppressive British policies, emerging as a key leader in Gujarat and within the Indian National Congress.

Criticism of Bardoli Movement:

• The Bardoli movement faced criticism from various perspectives.
• Broadly, it was seen as a national experiment in using satyagraha for the freedom struggle rather than addressing the fundamental issues faced by peasants.
• The movement overlooked the highly exploitative Hali Pratha and primarily advocated for the rich and middle-class peasants.
• The plight of poorer peasants with minimal land ownership was neglected, although many participated due to Gandhi's involvement.

Overview of the Simon Commission

• The Indian Statutory Commission, commonly known as the Simon Commission after its chairman Sir John Simon, was a group of  seven British Members of Parliament sent to India in 1928 to study constitutional reform and make recommendations to the British government.
• One of the members, Clement Attlee, later became the British Prime Minister and oversaw India's and Pakistan's independence in 1947.

Indian Opposition to the Commission:

• There was widespread protest in India against the appointment of an all-white, seven-member commission, with no Indian representatives.
• The Government of India Act 1919 had introduced the dyarchy system for governing British Indian provinces.
• The Indian public demanded a revision of this system, the 1919 Act itself stipulated that a commission would be set up after 10 years to review the governance scheme and suggest reforms.

Recognition of Past Failures:

• The British government acknowledged the failure of the 1919 Reforms by appointing the Simon Commission in November 1927, two years ahead of schedule.
• The Conservative government in Britain, fearing defeat by the Labour Party, wanted to address the future of India before leaving it to the Labour Party.

Scope of the Commission:

• Initially set up to examine constitutional affairs in British India, the Commission expanded its scope to include relations between British India and the Indian States.

Indian Reactions and Boycotts:

• Indians were outraged by the absence of Indian members in the Simon Commission, which was to decide India's future.
• Lord Birkenhead, the British Secretary of State, defended the exclusion by stating that the Commission had to be composed of members of Parliament.
• The Indian National Congress decided to boycott the Commission, a faction of the Muslim League led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah also chose to boycott.

Birkenhead's Role and Indian Sentiment:

• Lord Birkenhead, who had often criticized Indians for their inability to propose a widely accepted constitutional reform scheme, was instrumental in the appointment of the Simon Commission.
• The Indian response was swift and nearly unanimous, with the main anger stemming from the lack of Indian representation and the idea that foreigners would determine India's readiness for self-government.
• This was seen as a violation of self-determination and an affront to Indian dignity.

Parties’ Response:

• During the Congress session in Madras in December 1927, led by M.A. Ansari, a decision was made to boycott the Simon Commission "at every stage and in every form."
• Jawaharlal Nehru successfully pushed for a resolution during this session, declaring complete independence as the Congress's goal.
• Those who supported the Congress boycott included Liberals from the Hindu Mahasabha and the majority faction of the Muslim League under Jinnah.
• However, some groups, such as the Unionists in Punjab and the Justice Party in the south, chose not to boycott the commission.

Public Response:

• The Simon Commission arrived in Bombay on February 3, 1928, prompting a countrywide hartal and mass rallies.
• Wherever the commission went, there were black flag demonstrations, hartals, slogans of 'Simon Go Back'.
• The Central Assembly was invited to form a Joint Committee to cooperate with the Commission, but it declined.
• A notable aspect of this upsurge was the active involvement of a new generation of youth in political action, adding a militant flavor to the protests.
• Leaders like Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose emerged from this wave, traveling extensively and addressing conferences.
• This youth upsurge also paved the way for the spread of new radical ideas of socialism, leading to the formation of groups like the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Workers’ and Peasants’ Parties, Hindustani Sewa Dal in Karnataka.

Police Repression:

• The police responded forcefully against demonstrators, using lathi charges that did not spare even senior leaders. Jawaharlal Nehru and G.B. Pant were beaten in Lucknow.

• On October 30, 1928, the Simon Commission arrived in Lahore, where, as in the rest of the country, its arrival was met with massive protests and black flags.

• The Lahore protest was led by Indian nationalist Lala Lajpat Rai, who had moved a resolution against the Commission in the Punjab Legislative Assembly in February 1928.

• To clear a path for the Commission, the local police began beating protestors with sticks. The police were particularly brutal towards Lala Lajpat Rai, who later died on November 17, 1928.

Aftermath

• Labour Party, led by Ramsay Macdonald, came to power in Britain, sparking hope in India.
• The Viceroy visited England and, on October 31, 1929, announced the reaffirmation of the 1917 Declaration.
• The British Government stated that India’s constitutional progress would lead to Dominion Status.
• The Viceroy agreed with the Simon Commission to hold a Round Table Conference for consensus on proposals.
• The Simon Commission's report in May 1930 recommended the abolition of dyarchy and established a representative government in the provinces.
• It suggested maintaining separate communal electorates until tensions between Hindus and Muslims eased.
• In September 1928, Motilal Nehru presented the Nehru Report, advocating for India’s dominion status with full internal self-government.
• The British government acknowledged that Indian opinion would be considered and that dominion status would be the eventual goal.
• The Simon Commission's work influenced the Government of India Act 1935, establishing representative government at the provincial level.
• In 1937, the first provincial elections under this Act were held, resulting in Congress governments being elected in nearly all provinces.

Impact of the Appointment of the Simon Commission:

• The appointment of the Simon Commission energized radical groups that were pushing for not only complete independence but also significant socio-economic reforms along socialist lines.
• Lord Birkenhead's challenge to Indian politicians to come up with a unified constitutional proposal was embraced by various political factions, creating a momentary sense of optimism for Indian unity.