Simon Commission and Nehru Report

Indian Statutory Commission (Simon Commission)
• Government of India Act 1919 mandated a commission after 10 years to review constitutional progress.  
• British PM Stanley Baldwin appointed an all‑white, 7‑member commission on 8 November 1927 under Sir John Simon.  
• Purpose: To examine India’s constitutional progress and recommend next steps.

Indian Response
• Indians were excluded → Seen as insult + violation of self‑determination.  
• Congress (Madras Session 1927, President M.A. Ansari) resolved to boycott.  
• Jawaharlal Nehru got the Congress to pass the “Complete Independence” resolution.  
• Boycott joined by:  
  – Hindu Mahasabha (liberal faction)  
  – Muslim League (majority Jinnah faction)  

• 3 February 1928 → Simon lands in Bombay → Nationwide hartal, slogans “Simon Go Back”.  
• Youth leadership: Nehru, Subhash Bose.  
• Police repression:  
  – Nehru & G.B. Pant beaten in Lucknow  
  – Lala Lajpat Rai fatally injured in Lahore (died 17 Nov 1928)

Dr Ambedkar & the Commission
• Ambedkar deposed before Simon Commission (Oct 1928).  
• Demanded:  
  – Universal adult franchise (men + women)  
  – Provincial autonomy  
  – Dyarchy at Centre  
  – Safeguards & political representation for Depressed Classes  

Impact of Simon Boycott
• Strengthened radical & socialist ideas among youth.  
• Gave Congress a mass issue to mobilise around.  
• Triggered need to draft an Indian constitution → Led to Nehru Report.

Simon Commission Recommendations
• Abolish dyarchy in provinces; grant provincial autonomy.  
• Governor to retain special powers on internal security.  
• Expand provincial legislatures.  
• Reject responsible government at Centre → Governor‑General to retain executive power.  
• Separate communal electorates retained & extended.  
• No universal franchise.  
• Federal idea accepted “for future”, not immediate.  
• Sindh separated from Bombay; Burma separated from India.  
• Indianisation of army but retain British forces.

Nehru Report (1928)
• In response to Secretary of State Lord Birkenhead’s challenge to produce an agreed constitution.  
• All Parties Conference (Feb 1928) set up committee under Motilal Nehru.  
• Members included: Tej Bahadur Sapru, Subhash Bose, M.S. Aney, Ali Imam, Shuab Qureshi, G.R. Pradhan.

Main Recommendations
• Dominion Status (not complete independence).  
• Joint electorates; reservation for Muslims only where in minority.  
• Linguistic provinces.  
• 19 Fundamental Rights:  
  – Equality before law  
  – Equal rights for women  
  – Right to form unions  
  – Universal adult suffrage  
• Secular State → Complete separation of religion & State.  
• Responsible government both at Centre & Provinces.

Delhi Proposals (Muslim League, 1927)
• Joint electorates in place of separate electorates.  
• One‑third Muslim representation in Central Legislature.  
• Representation in Punjab & Bengal in proportion to population.  
• Creation of 3 Muslim‑majority provinces: Sindh, NWFP, Baluchistan.  
• Congress accepted these in 1927 (Madras Session).

Hindu Mahasabha Opposition
• Opposed creation of new Muslim‑majority provinces.  
• Opposed reservation for Muslims in Muslim‑majority provinces.  
• Demanded strict unitary structure.  
• Concessions in Nehru Report to placate them:  
  – Joint electorates everywhere  
  – Reservation for Muslims only where in minority  
  – Sindh separation only after Dominion Status  
  – Residual powers kept at Centre

Jinnah’s Amendments (All Parties Conference, Calcutta 1928)
Jinnah proposed 3 amendments:
1. One‑third Muslim representation at Centre  
2. Reservation in Punjab & Bengal proportional to population (until adult franchise)  
3. Residual powers to provinces  
• All three rejected → Jinnah left dissatisfied.

Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (March 1929)
• Federal constitution; residual powers with provinces.  
• Provincial autonomy.  
• No constitutional change without provincial consent.  
• Adequate Muslim representation in all legislatures.  
• One‑third Muslim seats in Central Legislature.  
• One‑third Muslim ministers in Central & Provincial Cabinets.  
• Separate electorates.  
• No bill to pass if 3/4 of minority opposes it.  
• Territorial boundaries not to reduce Muslim majorities.  
• Sindh separation from Bombay.  
• Reforms for NWFP & Baluchistan.  
• Religious freedom guaranteed.  
• Protection of Muslim culture, religion, language & education.  

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Subject: Modern History

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