Q. The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because

  • Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
  • Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces
  • there was no indian member in the Simon Commission
  • the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country

Answer: (c) there was no indian member in the Simon Commission

Notes:
  • The people of India agitated against the Simon Commission because it was composed entirely of British members, excluding any Indian representation, despite being tasked with reviewing India’s constitutional framework.
  • The Simon Commission, officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was formed in 1927 by the British government to review the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest reforms. However, it was composed entirely of British members, which was seen as a deliberate insult and a disregard for the aspirations of the Indian people.
  • The Indian National Congress and other political organizations boycotted the commission and launched protests and demonstrations against its arrival. 
  • The widespread opposition to the commission led to the popular slogan, “Simon Go Back”. 
  • The Government of India Act 1919 made a provision for a review committee on its work after 10 years.
    • However, the conservative government was staring at defeat and it felt that this constitutional question couldn’t be left in the hands of an inexperienced labour party.
    • Thus the Indian statutory commission popularly known as the Simon Commission was appointed in 1927.
    • However, as no Indian was on the committee it was met with boycott unanimously throughout India by all parties. The Muslim league was split on this but Jinnah carried the majority with him in favour of the boycott.
  • Recommendations of the Simon Commission
    • Simon Commission [1927]: The recommendations were a continuation of communal representation, the abolition of diarchy, an extension of responsible government in provinces, creation of the Indian Federation of British India and princely states.
    • The new government of the labour party was in power and the PM Ramsey McDonald declared that once the Simon committee submits its report a round table would be convened to discuss dominion status to India.