Simon Commission 1927 & Indian Nationalist Response

The Simon Commission, formed in 1927 by the British Government, reviewed the Government of India Act 1919 to evaluate constitutional progress in India. Its all-British composition, however, sparked widespread protests, symbolising India’s strong resistance to colonial decisions made without Indian representation. This article aims to study in detail the background, formation, and impact of the Simon Commission and the notable protests that marked this pivotal event in India’s independence movement.

About Simon Commission 1927

• The Simon Commission, formally known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was constituted in 1927 by the British Government to assess the effectiveness of the Government of India Act of 1919.
• The commission, chaired by Sir John Simon, was intended to review constitutional reforms in India, but its composition—entirely British, with no Indian representatives—sparked outrage across the nation.
• It is seen as an affront to Indian aspirations for autonomy. The commission’s arrival catalysed one of the most widespread and organised protest movements of the time.

Formation of Simon Commission 1927

• The Government of India Act, 1919, known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, promised a review of the Act’s efficacy after a decade.
• The British Government, under mounting pressure to respond to Indian demands for increased autonomy, set up the Simon Commission in 1927, two years ahead of schedule.
• While the commission’s goal was to evaluate constitutional progress, the lack of any Indian members on the panel displayed a blatant disregard for Indian opinion and further fueled nationalist discontent.
• The Simon Commission arrived in India on February 3, 1928. Its formation and subsequent arrival were met with widespread opposition as it lacked any Indian representation.

Recommendations of Simon Commission 1927

• The Simon Commission, formed in 1927 by the British government, was tasked with evaluating the constitutional framework in India.
• Its key recommendations included the abolition of dyarchy at the provincial level and introducing a system of responsible government in provinces, where ministers would be accountable to the legislature.
• It also suggested the separation of Burma from India and emphasised the need for safeguards to protect minority communities.
• However, the Commission faced widespread opposition in India due to its exclusion of Indian members, leading to protests and the popular slogan, “Simon Go Back.”

Nationwide Boycott of Simon Commission

• The Simon Commission was met with unanimous opposition across Indian political groups, including the Congress, the Muslim League, and other local factions.
• Indians across the country protested under the slogan “Simon, Go Back!” refusing to recognise the legitimacy of an all-white commission that would decide India’s future.
• When the commission arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai) on February 3, 1928, it was welcomed by thousands of protestors holding black flags and banners with slogans condemning the commission.

Notable Incidents in Anti-Simon Commission Protests

Several acts of courage and defiance became symbolic of the protest against the Simon Commission:

• Madras Incident (T. Prakasam’s Protest): In Madras (now Chennai), T. Prakasam displayed remarkable bravery when he bared his chest to the armed policemen who blocked him from reaching a site where a person had died in police firing.
  • This act of fearlessness epitomised the resolve of Indians to stand up against British suppression.
• Lucknow Incident (Khaliquzzaman’s Slogans): In Lucknow, Khaliquzzaman, a nationalist leader, floated kites and balloons inscribed with “Simon Go Back” to protest against the warm reception the taluqdars (landowners) had extended to the commission members in Kaiserbagh.
  • This creative protest displayed a unique way of circumventing British restrictions on public gatherings.
• Lahore Incident (Lala Lajpat Rai’s Martyrdom): The most tragic incident occurred in Lahore on November 17, 1928, when Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent nationalist leader, was fatally injured by police during a peaceful protest against the commission.
  • When police attacked the demonstrators with lathi (baton) charges, Rai sustained severe injuries, and his subsequent death intensified the national resolve against British rule.
  • His sacrifice became a rallying cry, especially among young revolutionaries.

Political Unity Against the Simon Commission

• The Simon Commission unified various political groups and regional factions, marking one of the rare occasions of collective dissent across ideological divides.
• The Central Legislative Assembly refused to cooperate with the commission by declining to form a joint committee.
• This rejection underscored the solid stance of Indian leaders in denouncing the commission’s legitimacy.
• Prominent leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose, supported the protests, transforming the boycott into a powerful movement.

Impact of Simon Commission

• The Simon Commission’s recommendations, presented later, were largely ignored by Indian leaders.
• The commission’s failure to address Indian demands highlighted the British government’s refusal to recognise Indian aspirations for self-rule.
• The protests against the Simon Commission not only demonstrated the Indians’ unified stance but also paved the way for subsequent movements, including the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
• Additionally, the Simon Commission protests influenced the Nehru Report of 1928, which drafted a constitution for India, embodying the Indian desire for Dominion Status.

Conclusion

The Simon Commission 1927 is a momentous event in India’s independence movement. The blatant exclusion of Indians in deciding the future of their own country provoked mass protests and rekindled the nationalist fervour that had somewhat subsided after the Non-Cooperation Movement. The nationwide outcry against the commission unified various factions within India and underscored the Indians’ demand for meaningful self-governance. The sacrifices of leaders and common citizens alike in opposing the Simon Commission deepened the resolve of the Indian people, who grew increasingly determined to overthrow colonial rule and pave the way toward independence.

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