Simon Commission (India Statutory Commission, 1928): A Case Study

Abstract

In 1927, the Indian national freedom movement was at one of its periodic low level. A number of deadlocks as Hindu-Muslim riots, financial stringency and the frustration of living under an almost unworkable constitution had made the Indian political scenario quite dissatisfactory. In that time span a unifying and galvanizing issue was required to mobilize the freedom struggle, which was initiated by the British Parliament. Under section 84 of the Government of India Act, 1919, a Statutory Commission was to be appointed at the expiration of ten years after the passing of the Act for the purpose of inquiring into the working of the system of Government and the development of representative institutions in India. It was assumed that the proposed Commission will extend, modify or restrict the degree of responsible government existing in India. However, the structure or composition of the Commission - an all white membership - made it impossible for the Commission to carve out something worthy for Indian public. Moreover, till this time, the nationalist leaders were no longer convinced by the entrenched historical fact that Britain was the only guide for India or that it even needed a mentor.