Simon commission
The Indian Constitutional Commission was appointed by the British Government on November 8, 1927. No Indian member was involved in this.
This commission reached Mumbai on February 3, 1928. There was a lot of opposition to it in India. In protest against this, Lala Lajpat Rai was injured in a lathi charge in Lahore in December 1928 and died.
The recommendations of Simon Commission were as follows.
(a) Establishment of a strong central government.
(b) Autonomy of the provinces.
(c) End of dual rule in the provinces.
(d) The system of communal elections continues.
(e) Extension of franchise in the provincial legislature.
(f) Separation of Burma from India.
(g) Federal Constitution for India.
Due to opposition to Simon Commission
- All the members of this commission were English and not a single Indian was included in it. This made Indians feel that this Commission would not keep their interests in mind.
- This commission was formed to reduce the demand for Swaraj. Due to this, Indians felt that this Commission would not give Swaraj to India.
- No concrete steps were taken to increase the participation of Indians in the recommendations of this Commission. This made Indians feel that this Commission would not give India a real self-rule.
Results of opposition to Simon Commission
1.The opposition to the Simon Commission further intensified the Indian freedom struggle.
2.This protest further strengthened the spirit of independence among Indians.
3.This protest further increased the resentment of Indians towards British rule in India.