When was the Simon Commission established?

Q.  Which of the following is/are true?

1) Simon Commission which was appointed in 1927, submitted its report in 1930, which suggested abolition of dyarchy.
2) The Poona Pact was a reaction to the Simon Commission and its Report.
- Published on 12 Feb 17

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. None of the above

ANSWER: Only 1
 
  • In November 1927, itself (i.e., 2 years before the schedule), the British Government announced the appointment of a 7-member statutory commission under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon.
  • It was to report on the condition of India under its new Constitution.
  • All the members of the commission were British. This led to its boycott by all the parties.
  • The commission submitted its report in 1930.

    • It recommended -

    1. abolition of dyarchy,
    2. extension of responsible government in the provinces,
    3. establishment of a federation of British India and princely states,
    4. continuation of communal electorate, etc.

  • The British Government convened 3 round table conferences of the representatives of the British Government, British India and Indian princely states to consider the proposals of the commission.
  • Based on these discussions, a ‘White Paper on Constitutional Reforms’ was prepared.
  • It was submitted for consideration of the Joint Select Committee of the British Parliament.
  • The recommendations of this committee were incorporated(with certain changes) in the next Government of India Act , 1935.
  • In August 1932, Ramsay MacDonald, the British Prime Minister, announced the Communal Award which was a scheme of representation of the minorities.
  • The award continued separate electorates for the Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
  • It also extended it to the depressed classes (scheduled castes).
  • Gandhiji was distressed over this and undertook fast unto death in Yeravada Jail (Poona) to force the award to be modified.
  • To break the fast, there was ‘Poona Pact’ between leaders of the Congress and the depressed classes.
  • The Pact kept the Hindu joint electorate and gave reserved seats to the depressed classes.

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