The Arrival of the Simon Commission in India: A Turning Point in the Freedom Struggle

History Indian History

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-06 08:51:45 |

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The Simon Commission arrived in India on February 3, 1928, during British colonial rule. It was a seven-member commission appointed by the British government under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon to assess the political situation in India and recommend constitutional reforms. The commission was formed as part of Britain's effort to evaluate the working of the Government of India Act of 1919 and suggest changes for the future governance of the country.

One of the major controversies surrounding the Simon Commission was that it did not include a single Indian member. All its members were British parliamentarians, which angered Indian leaders across political groups. The exclusion of Indians was seen as an insult, as it denied them the right to participate in discussions about their own country's political future. This led to widespread protests across India, with people uniting under the slogan "Simon Go Back."

When the commission arrived in Bombay, it was met with black flags, protests, and demonstrations led by political leaders from the Indian National Congress as well as other groups. The opposition to the commission was not limited to Congress leaders but also included other political factions, including the Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha, which opposed the idea of an all-British body deciding India's fate.

One of the most significant events linked to the Simon Commission was the protest led by Lala Lajpat Rai in Lahore on October 30, 1928. During this demonstration, the police, under the orders of James A. Scott, launched a brutal lathi charge on the protesters. Lala Lajpat Rai was severely injured and later succumbed to his injuries on November 17, 1928. His death intensified the revolutionary movement in India, with young revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and his associates deciding to avenge his death by targeting British officials.

Despite the protests, the Simon Commission continued its work and later submitted its report in 1930. The report recommended the continuation of British rule with minor constitutional changes, but it failed to address India's demand for self-governance. It was eventually rejected by Indian political leaders, leading to further movements for complete independence.

The arrival of the Simon Commission and the resistance it faced played a crucial role in uniting Indians against British rule. It also highlighted the growing demand for self-rule, setting the stage for future events like the Nehru Report and the demand for complete independence in the Lahore Session of 1929.

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