Simon Commission – A Turning Point in Colonial India: The Controversial Simon Commission of 1927
It was a significant part of the campaign of India against British rule that usually bore the name of the Simon Commission of 1927 officially. The British government set up the commission under the leadership of Sir John Simon with the intention of reviewing the political situation in India and taking up constitutional reforms. As much as the commission’s arrival with their subsequent report raised quite a storm among Indian leaders, with deep-rooted issues within the colonial system and hence intensifying the movement of Indian self-rule to a great extent. Here are some key points that analyze the context, objectives, controversies, and legacy of the Simon Commission in detail.
Background and Context
Political Context in Britain and India:-
The Simon Commission came at a time when India demanded greater autonomy. Ever since the end of World War I, demands for self-rule by Indians in tandem with the limited self-government that the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms had instituted for the country in 1919 had been rising. The Indian leaders felt they were not good enough.
Government of India Act, 1919:-
The Government of India Act of 1919 had stipulated a provision for its review after ten years. Thus, ten years down the line it was on the British government’s compulsion to assess the success of the Act and to decide the Indian governance for the next ten years.
Failure to Include Indians:-
Contrary to the persistent demands of Indian leadership for a constitution on self-determination, the British government unilaterally decided to send a commission of only British members without any Indian presence. This decision, considered an insult to Indian leadership, led to widespread resistance.
Objectives of the Simon Commission
Analyzing the 1919 Reforms:-
The main theme of the commission was to determine whether the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were adequately beneficial to the needs of Indian administration.
Proposing Amendments for Later Reforms:-
The commission was to suggest changes in the constitutional structure of India that would further assist for better administration.
Sustaining British Supremacy:-
Though rhetoric of reforms were made, the real aim of Britain was to maintain political supremacy over India, and the commission was designed in such a manner that means and ways of how to make this fact more palatable than transferring power to Indians in significant measure could be deliberated upon.
Composition and Leadership of the Commission
All-white composition:-
The commission was headed by Sir John Simon and comprised all British parliamentarians that generated sharp public criticism. The exclusion of Indians made it evident to the Indian leadership that Britain was not ready to share genuine powers to be exercised by the Indian leadership.
Prominent Members:-
Besides Sir John Simon, the commission included great British politicians like Clement Attlee, who later became the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister.
Distortion Presentation:-
The British members lacked acquaintance with the Indian political ambiance, and their perspective dominated with British interests rather than those of Indians.
Reactions of Indians to the Commission
Boycott to the Commission:-
Both Indian National Congress (INC) and all political parties of India decided to boycott Simon Commission in a group with an opposition over its total absence of Indians.
Slogan “Simon Go Back”:-
The slogan became the rallying cry for millions of Indians who opposed the commission, symbolizing Indians as a people rejecting British interference in their political future.
Unification of Indian Leaders:-
Leaders across the political spectrum-from the more moderate Motilal Nehru to the more radical Subhas Chandra Bose-were united in their opposition to the commission, and it was this unification that sparked the kind of united front against colonial rule that could have only followed such
Notable Protests and Events
National Protest:-
The arrival of the Simon Commission was protested from every part of the country where towns and cities went on strike, took out processions and demonstrated on the roads.
Police Brutality in Lahore:-
Among the sordid incidences, one is the incident at Lahore. Here, Lala Lajpatrai, one of the most respected freedom leaders who himself during a peaceful procession got injured, following which he succumbed to death.
Effect on Youths’ Movements:-
The commission and the savage reaction of silent protest gave birth to new young leaders, Bhagat Singh and others, who wanted a more extreme step that India could be independent.
Simon Commission Suggestions
Abolition of Dyarchy:-
Among such recommendations made by the commission was an abolition of dyarchy-a very unpopular system of government, which had created administrative tangle.
Federal System Proposal:-
The commission proposed a federal system for India, with both provinces and princely states thus bringing about some uniformity to the country’s administrative structure.
No Dominion Status:-
The commission report did not provide India with Dominion Status, which Indian leaders had urged on numerous occasions. This further alienated the Indian masses.
Simon Commission and Indian Politics
Emergence of New Leaders:-
The resistance towards the Simon Commission became a platform for new emerging leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, who later became crucial figures in the independence movement.
Demand for Self-Rule:-
The whole proceeding regarding the commission ended up with a demand for a constitution which should be framed by Indians. Nehru Report of 1928 was a sequel to this. It was the first genuine attempt at a constitution in India unshackled by the British.
Formation of Round Table Conferences:-
In the beginning of 1930’s, the British government formed Round Table Conferences when the Simon Commission failed to gain approval from Indians. These were an endeavor to negotiate the future constitution of the country with Indian leaders.
Importance and Legacy of the Simon Commission
Unified Opposition:-
The commission’s arrival united Indians irrespective of their social, political, or regional differences. Leaders of all shades of opinion set apart their differences to collectively oppose British rule.
Momentum for Complete Independence:-
Opposition to the Simon Commission formed a basis for a significant change in the Indian independence movement. Voices of the demand for reform took a non-compromising stand for complete independence.
Simon Commission’s Role in Constitutional Development:-
Failure to yield workable reforms, it heightened political awareness and the clamor for putting together an Indian constitution opened up the way for the Government of India Act 1935.
Nehru Report of 1928
This report evoked a very sharp response; not only was the Nehru Report put out by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru in opposition to the Simon Commission’s recommendations but also demanded Dominion Status for India within the British Commonwealth, an independent judiciary, and fundamental rights for Indian citizens.
Denial of Communal Electorates:-
Though British policy was still in favour of separate electorates, the Nehru Report proposed joint electorates and a single India free of any communally divided unit.
Importance of Nehru Report:-
Although the British government did not accept the report, it was the first significant movement among Indians for constitutional reform and set a precedent for all future demands.
Protest and Failure of the Simon Commission
Lack of Indian Membership:-
The other significant criticism was that it did not have a single member from India, thus it was accused of not being an authentic representative of Indian interests.
Problematic Recommendations:-
The recommendation of this commission could not be satisfactory to the leaders and masses of the Indians since they ignored the basic issues, such as total independence and self-rule.
Legacy of Division and Frustration:-
Not meeting the Indian aspirations, the commission worsened the desperation towards British rule, hastening India toward final independence.
Conclusion:-
The Simon Commission of 1927 was a watershed in the Indian freedom movement. Its discriminatory approach and failure to realize the Indian aspiration for self-rule triggered an outburst of protests and helped raise a new generation of leaders. Although the commission was a failure as far as its immediate objectives were concerned, it, however, united Indians to rebel against colonial rule. Therefore, it increased the force for independence and paved way for further constitutional changes. On the long run, it exposed that the British government had no intention to grant meaningful autonomy to India. This would only strengthen the will of Indians for complete independence.
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