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The Simon Commission (1927-1928) and the Indian Response

1. The Simon Commission

A. Formation and Purpose

• Official Name: Indian Statutory Commission.
• Formation: Appointed in November 1927 by the British Conservative Government under Stanley Baldwin.
• Purpose: To review the workings of the Government of India Act of 1919 (the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) and suggest administrative reforms. The Act itself contained a clause mandating a review after 10 years.
• Chairman: Sir John Simon, a member of the British Liberal Party.

B. Composition and the Boycott

• Composition: Consisted of seven British members.
• Exclusion of Indians: No Indian member was included. The suggestion for this exclusion is attributed to Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India.
• Nickname: Its all-white composition led to it being nicknamed the “White Commission”.
• Indian Reaction: Indian political parties, including the Indian National Congress, unanimously boycotted the commission. The primary reason was the absence of any Indian member.

C. Visit and Impact

• Arrival in India: Arrived on February 3, 1928, in Bombay.
• Protests: Its arrival was met with nationwide protests and black flag demonstrations under the slogan “Simon Go Back”.
• Lathi Charge in Lahore: During a protest in Lahore in 1928, police lathi-charged demonstrators led by Lala Lajpat Rai (“Punjab Kesari” or Lion of Punjab).
• Death of Lala Lajpat Rai: He was severely injured in the lathi charge and later died from his injuries in November 1928.

2. The Indian Response: The Nehru Report (1928)

A. Formation of the All Parties Conference

• Trigger: Formed in direct response to the Simon Commission.
• Conference: The All Parties Conference was held in February 1928, presided over by Dr. M.A. Ansari.
• Committee: The conference appointed a committee under Motilal Nehru to draft a constitution for India.
• Key Role: Jawaharlal Nehru served as the secretary of this committee.
• Output: The resulting document was called the Nehru Report (1928).

B. Key Recommendations of the Nehru Report

• Status: Proposed Dominion Status for India (not complete independence).
• Government: Recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces.
• Electorates: Advocated for joint electorates (with reservation of seats for minorities).
• Rights: Included a draft provision for fundamental rights for the people of India.

C. Reactions and Opposition to the Nehru Report

• Muslim League Rejection: The report was rejected by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League.
  • Jinnah’s Fourteen Points: In response (1929), Jinnah presented his Fourteen Points to safeguard Muslim political interests.
• Congress Radical Wing Rejection: The report was also opposed by the radical wing of the Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose, who demanded complete independence (Purna Swaraj).
  • Independence of India League: This faction formed the Independence of India League in 1928 specifically to oppose the Nehru Report’s goal of Dominion Status.

3. Key Personalities Involved