Simon commission

Simon Commission

1. Simon Commission 1928: John Allsebrook Simon sent to India (Feb-March 1928, Oct 1928-Apr 1929) Abdul Azim Akhtar

2. In 1919 Act there was a provision for appointment of a commission after 10 years to know constitutional reforms Appointed in 1927 by Stanley Baldwin on Indian constitution; 7 Members- 4 conservatives; two Labour Party; one Liberal –joint chair John Simon ( lawyer) and Clement Attlee 7 June 1930 2 Vol.Report submitted Vol. 1- Survey of the Situation in India Vol. 2- Recommendations Abdul Azim Akhtar

3. London Bombay (3 rd Feb 1928) Karachi Quetta Peshawar Delhi Lahore ( 30 Oct 1928: Lajpat Rai led & Abdul Qadir Qureshi , Moulana Zafer ALi ) Lucknow Patna Calcutta Rangoon Madras Nagpur Abdul Azim Akhtar

4. purpose Review of 1919 Act No Indian delegate Boycott by INC & a section of Muslim League led by Jinnah Abdul Azim Akhtar

5. consequence Gandhiji started Civil Disobedience Movement Jinnah said that the report was not acceptable to Indians Members of Legislative Assembly of India, Shah Nawaz , Gaya Prasad Singh, Dr. Ziauddin , & M R Jayakar criticized it; Annie In London, Workers Welfare League of India & London Branch of INC organised demonstration against the commission; Shapurji Saklatvala led the demonstrations Abdul Azim Akhtar

6. Diarchy should end in provinces & all protfolios be given to elected representatives Provincial Autonomy; Power of central govt & provincial governors should be reduced Rejected Parliamentary responsible government at the centre Retain direct contact between Indian states & British crown Abdul Azim Akhtar

7. Consequence Round Table Conference Held 1930-1932 Govt of India Act, 1932- Ended dyarchy and direct elections were introduced 1 st time; Sind separated from Bombay, Orissa separated from Bihar; Burma separated from India; Provincial assemblies to have more elected members, who can form government by majority; Governor retained special discretionary powers. Recommendations became outdated because in October 1929 British Govt announced dominion status as the goal of Constitutional Development. Abdul Azim Akhtar