📚 Part of: Ancient Indian History & Modern Indian Geography Mcqs

Why was Simon Commission boycotted?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

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

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, IAS Prelims, Indian History Exams, State PSC Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

The Simon Commission was a British parliamentary committee sent to India in 1927 to review the functioning of the constitutional system. It was boycotted by Indian political parties, especially the Indian National Congress, because it did not include any Indian members, which was seen as a major insult to the Indian people.

Common Mistakes:
  • Students may confuse the Simon Commission with other British commissions or committees.
  • Some may think the boycott was due to the commission's recommendations rather than its composition.
  • Others might believe the boycott was solely due to the leadership of Sir John Simon.
Explanation:

The Simon Commission was a British parliamentary committee established in 1927 to review the functioning of the constitutional system in India. The commission was named after its chairman, Sir John Simon, a British politician. The commission's primary task was to suggest changes to the constitutional system in India, which was under British colonial rule at the time.

The boycott of the Simon Commission was a significant event in the Indian independence movement. The Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, decided to boycott the commission because it did not include a single Indian member. This exclusion was seen as a major insult to the Indian people, who felt that they should have a say in the governance of their own country.

The lack of Indian representation on the commission was a clear indication of the British government's disregard for Indian opinion and the Indian people's desire for self-governance. The Indian National Congress and other political parties organized a series of protests and demonstrations against the commission's visit to India. The slogan "Simon Go Back" became a rallying cry for the Indian people, emphasizing their demand for self-rule and the inclusion of Indians in the decision-making process.

The boycott of the Simon Commission was a turning point in the Indian independence movement. It demonstrated the growing strength and unity of the Indian people in their struggle against British colonial rule. The commission's recommendations were largely ignored, and the Indian National Congress continued to push for greater Indian representation in the governance of the country, eventually leading to the demand for complete independence from British rule.

In summary, the Simon Commission was boycotted because it did not have a single Indian member, which was seen as a significant insult and a clear indication of the British government's unwillingness to include Indian voices in the constitutional reforms process. This boycott highlighted the growing demand for self-governance and the importance of Indian representation in the decision-making process.

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 its boycott. The boycott was a reaction to the lack of Indian representation on the commission.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. While Sir John Simon was indeed the head of the commission, the boycott was not due to his leadership but because the commission did not include any Indian members. The absence of Indian representation was the primary reason for the boycott.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. The Simon Commission was intended to suggest changes in 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 have a single Indian member. This exclusion was seen as a grave insult to the Indian people and their right to participate in the governance of their own country.
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