Explanation: The Simon Commission was a British parliamentary committee established in 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest reforms for the governance of India. The commission was headed by Sir John Simon and comprised seven other members, all of whom were British. The Indian National Congress and other political parties were deeply dissatisfied with the composition of the commission, as it did not include any Indian members. This exclusion was seen as a deliberate snub to Indian aspirations for self-governance and representation.
The Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Motilal Nehru, decided to boycott the commission. The Congress called for a nationwide protest against the Simon Commission, which was met with widespread support across India. The protests were characterized by the use of black flags and the slogan "Simon, go back." The black flag was a powerful symbol of mourning and rejection, used to express the Indian people's deep dissatisfaction with the commission's presence and its perceived lack of Indian representation.
The slogan "Simon, go back" was a direct and clear expression of the Indian people's demand for the immediate withdrawal of the commission. It was chanted in various cities, including Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata), and Delhi, where the commission was scheduled to visit. The slogan became a rallying cry for the Indian National Movement, symbolizing the growing demand for self-governance and the rejection of British colonial rule.
The protests against the Simon Commission were significant in the context of the Indian National Movement. They marked a turning point in the relationship between the Indian people and the British colonial government, highlighting the growing demand for self-governance and the rejection of British-imposed reforms. The use of black flags and the slogan "Simon, go back" were powerful forms of protest that effectively communicated the Indian people's dissatisfaction and their demand for representation and self-governance.
In conclusion, the correct answer is (D) Only (A) & (B), as both black flags and the slogan "Simon, go back" were used during the protests against the Simon Commission. These forms of protest were significant in the context of the Indian National Movement and reflected the growing demand for self-governance and the rejection of British colonial rule.