The Simon Commission and the Rise of Nationalist Agendas (1927-1930)

The late 1920s marked a significant phase in India’s struggle for independence. The appointment of the Simon Commission by the British government and the subsequent Indian response played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s constitutional future. This period witnessed widespread protests, the unification of diverse political groups, and the formulation of key constitutional proposals like the Nehru Report and Jinnah’s Fourteen Points.

The Simon Commission, 1927-1930

• Mandate:
  • To investigate the working of the system of government in British India.
  • Assess the growth of education and the development of representative institutions.
  • Report on the desirability of establishing the principle of responsible government.
  • Consider the extension, modification, or restriction of existing responsible government.
  • Examine the establishment of Second Chambers in local legislatures.
• Expansion of Jurisdiction:
  • Recognized the impossibility of addressing British India’s constitutional problems without considering relations with the Indian States.
  • The Commission’s scope was expanded to include these relations.

Composition and Controversy

• All-White Membership: Comprised solely of British Parliamentarians with no Indian members.
  • Led by Sir John Simon, the lack of Indian representation was widely criticized.
• Justification and Criticism: Lord Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India, defended the exclusion by stating that only Parliament members could be appointed.
  • This reasoning was considered weak and unacceptable by Indians across political spectrums.

Indian Response to the Simon Commission

Impact on the National Movement

Rise of Socialist Ideas: The Commission’s appointment galvanized radical political forces advocating complete independence and socio-economic reforms along socialist lines.

• Provided a unifying issue for mass mobilization and action.

Challenge to Produce an Agreed Constitution

• Lord Birkenhead’s Challenge: Urged Indian politicians to formulate a unified constitutional framework acceptable to all.
• Indian Unity Efforts: Diverse political groups demonstrated willingness to collaborate.
  • Led to the convening of the All Parties Conference and the drafting of the Nehru Report.

Recommendations of the Simon Commission

Abolition of Dyarchy: Proposed ending dyarchy in provinces.

• Suggested establishment of representative government with increased autonomy.
• Governor’s Powers: Governors to retain discretionary powers related to internal security and administrative matters.
• Provincial Legislative Councils: Recommended increasing the number of members in provincial councils.
• Parliamentary Responsibility at the Centre: Rejected the idea of responsible government at the central level.
  • Governor-General to have full authority in appointing cabinet members.
• High Court Control: Central government to have complete control over the High Courts.
• Communal Electorates: Retained separate communal electorates, extending them to other communities.
  • Intended as a temporary measure until Hindu-Muslim tensions eased.
• Universal Franchise: Did not support universal adult franchise.
• Federalism: Accepted in principle but deferred implementation.
  • Suggested a Consultative Council of Greater India with representatives from British provinces and princely states.
• North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan: Proposed establishment of local legislatures with central representation.
• Sindh and Burma: Recommended separating Sindh from Bombay and Burma from India.
• Indianization of the Army: Supported gradual Indianization while retaining British forces.

Relevance of the Recommendations

• By the time the report was published in May 1930, significant political developments had occurred.
• The recommendations failed to address the growing demand for complete independence.
• The report was seen as inadequate and out of touch with Indian aspirations.

The Nehru Report, 1928

Background

• Response to Birkenhead’s Challenge: Lord Birkenhead, the Secretary of State for India, challenged Indians to draft a constitution acceptable across communities.
• All Parties Conference: Convened in February 1928 to formulate a constitutional framework.
• Committee Formation: A subcommittee chaired by Motilal Nehru.
  • Members included Tej Bahadur Sapru, Subhash Chandra Bose, M.S. Aney, Mangal Singh, Ali Imam, Shuab Qureshi, and G.R. Pradhan.

Key Recommendations of the Nehru Report

• Dominion Status: India to be granted dominion status within the British Commonwealth.
• Rejection of Separate Electorates: Advocated joint electorates with reserved seats for Muslims where they were a minority.
  • Muslims could also contest additional seats.
• Linguistic Provinces: Proposed the creation of provinces based on linguistic lines.
• Nineteen Fundamental Rights: Included rights such as:
  • Equal rights for women
  • Right to form unions
  • Universal adult suffrage
• Responsible Government: At both central and provincial levels.
  • Central Government:
    • An Indian Parliament with a 500-member House of Representatives elected through adult suffrage.
    • A 200-member Senate elected by provincial councils.
    • Governor-General appointed by the British but acting on the advice of an executive council responsible to Parliament.
  • Provincial Councils:
    • Tenure of five years.
    • Governors acting on the advice of provincial executive councils.
• Protection of Muslim Interests: Ensured full protection of cultural and religious rights.
• Secularism: Complete dissociation of the state from religion.

Responses to the Nehru Report

Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (1929)

• Response to Nehru Report: Dissatisfied with the Nehru Report, Muhammad Ali Jinnah formulated the Fourteen Points.
  • Became the basis for the Muslim League’s future political agenda.

Key Points

1. Federal Structure: Federation with residual powers vested in the provinces.
2. Provincial Autonomy: Full autonomy for provinces.
3. Constitutional Amendments: Central government amendments requiring provincial concurrence.
4. Adequate Muslim Representation: In all legislatures and elected bodies without reducing Muslim majorities.
5. Muslim Representation in Services: Proportional representation in civil services and local bodies.
6. One-Third Central Legislature Representation: Muslims to have one-third representation.
7. Muslim Participation in Cabinets: At least one-third Muslim members in central and provincial cabinets.
8. Separate Electorates: Retention of separate communal electorates.
9. Legislative Safeguards: No bill to be passed if three-fourths of a minority community opposes it.
10. Protection of Muslim Majorities: Preservation of Muslim majorities in Punjab, Bengal, and NWFP during territorial redistributions.
11. Separation of Sindh: From Bombay Presidency.
12. Constitutional Reforms in NWFP and Baluchistan: Same reforms as other provinces.
13. Religious Freedom: Guarantees for all communities.
14. Safeguarding Muslim Culture and Education: Protection of Muslim rights in religion, culture, education, and language.

Conclusion

The period between 1927 and 1930 was pivotal in India’s struggle for independence. The Simon Commission and its aftermath galvanized Indian society, leading to unified protests and the articulation of constitutional visions through the Nehru Report and Jinnah’s Fourteen Points. These developments highlighted the complexities of Indian politics, including communal tensions and differing aspirations, setting the stage for future constitutional negotiations and the eventual path to independence.

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