The Simon Commission, established in 1927 by the British government, aimed to evaluate the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, and propose constitutional reforms. However, it failed miserably due to several reasons, leaving a significant impact on India's struggle for independence.
The commission, led by Sir John Simon, included no Indian members, which was seen as a grave insult to Indian aspirations for self-rule. This "all-white" composition was perceived as racial arrogance and sparked widespread resentment. Major political organizations, including the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, boycotted the commission, demonstrating rare unity among diverse political ideologies.
The commission included no Indian members, leading to widespread outrage and a perception of racial arrogance. Indians saw it as a blatant disregard for their aspirations for self-rule. Boycott by Indians: Both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, alongside other parties, boycotted the commission, uniting across ideological divides. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru criticized it as an affront to Indian self-rule.
Protests erupted across India, with people chanting “Simon Go Back.” In Lahore, a peaceful demonstration led by Lala Lajpat Rai turned tragic when he was brutally lathi-charged by police, leading to his death shortly after. His martyrdom further ignited anti-British sentiments.
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| The Simon Commission, 1927 slideshare.com |
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| Sir Simon and Lajpat Rai, youtube.com |
The Simon Commission's failure acted as a catalyst for India’s freedom movement. In response to its exclusionary nature, Indian leaders drafted the Nehru Report in 1928, outlining their own vision for constitutional reforms. The rejection of the commission fostered unity across communities and political groups, strengthening the demand for complete independence, or Purna Swaraj, which the Indian National Congress officially declared in 1929.
The failure of the Simon Commission also pushed the British government to engage with Indian leaders, leading to the Round Table Conferences between 1930 and 1932. While these talks fell short of immediate solutions, they marked a shift in Indian politics, with increasing calls for full independence rather than incremental reforms. The Simon Commission's rejection not only highlighted the growing discontent in the subcontinent but also set the stage for a more assertive and united independence movement.
https://sikhchic.com/1984/the_seeds_of_tyranny_part_i
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Commission
https://civilspedia.com/simon-commission
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