Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 334

Why was Simon Commission boycotted?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the composition of the Simon Commission and the reaction of Indian leaders.

Correct Answer: D) It did not have a single Indian member.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Simon Commission was a British parliamentary committee established in 1927 to review the functioning of the constitutional system in India. The commission was headed by Sir John Simon and comprised seven other members, all of whom were British. The commission was tasked with suggesting changes to the constitutional system in India, which was a significant issue at the time given the growing demand for self-governance and independence from British rule.

The boycott of the Simon Commission was a significant event in the Indian National Movement. The primary reason for the boycott was the absence of any Indian members on the commission. Indian political leaders and the general public saw this as a major insult and a violation of the principle of self-governance. The Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Motilal Nehru, decided to boycott the commission, and this decision was supported by other political parties and organizations.

The boycott was not just a protest against the composition of the commission but also a broader expression of the Indian people's demand for self-governance and the right to participate in the decision-making process. The absence of Indian representation on the commission was seen as a clear indication that the British were not willing to consider the views and opinions of the Indian people in the process of constitutional reform.

It is important to understand that the boycott of the Simon Commission was not just a reaction to the specific composition of the commission but was part of a larger movement for Indian independence. The commission's recommendations were seen as irrelevant because they were made without the input of the Indian people. The boycott was a significant event that highlighted the growing strength of the Indian National Movement and the determination of the Indian people to achieve self-governance.

In summary, the Simon Commission was boycotted because it did not have a single Indian member, which was seen as a major insult and a violation of the principle of self-governance. This boycott was a significant event in the Indian National Movement and highlighted the growing demand for Indian independence and self-governance.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. The Simon Commission did look into the functioning of the constitutional system in India, but this was not the reason for the boycott. The boycott was primarily due to the lack of Indian representation on the commission.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. While Sir John Simon was the head of the commission, this fact alone did not lead to the boycott. The boycott was a reaction to the absence of Indian members on the commission.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. The commission was indeed tasked with suggesting changes to the constitutional system, but this was not the reason for the boycott. The boycott was a protest against the exclusion of Indians from the commission.
  • Option D: This option is correct. The Simon Commission was boycotted because it did not include a single Indian member, which was seen as a major insult and a violation of the principle of self-governance.

Mnemonic: Remember: "No Indian, No Gain" for the boycott.

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