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Pak Studies History IGCSEPDF 61
181 pagesrevision 46928
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->There was no Indian member in the
commission.
-> Clauses were not accepted in toto by any party.
->Muslims’ demand of 1/3rd representation in central legislature was not accepted.
-> No separation of Sindh from Bombay presidency.
-> No reform work in NWFP and Baluchistan.
-> Emergency powers were retained by British governors.
Answer: The report was rejected in toto by all the major Indian parties. There was no
inclusion of Indian member in this commission so both INC and AIML called it “all white
body”. Lord Birkenhead did not include Indians in the commission because he considered
the disunity among the Indians main impediment towards the constitutional efforts of
commission. This was looked upon as an insult and majority parties rejected the reports.
The clauses of the report were partially accepted by political parties. For example, INC
wanted a federation with a strong center, but AIML wanted a federation with weak center
where
more powers are vested in provinces (provincial autonomy).
Disappointments for Muslim League were manifold. Commission did not recommend
one-third Muslim seats in central legislature. It rejected the Muslim demand of separating
Sindh from Bombay Presidency. It had also not favored to have reforms in NWFP and
Baluchistan. Lastly British Governors had also retained the emergency powers.
-> Indians were not happy with Mont-Ford reforms.
-> Fear of defeat of conservative party in
coming elections.
Answer: The Govt. of India Act 1919 stated that a commission would be set up after ten
years to look into the constitutional reforms setup in the act. Hindu-Muslim cooperation was
just a dream at that time because after the failure of Khilafat movement, where
Muslims blamed Gandhi for its failure because he suddenly withdrew from his
non-cooperation movement and therefore from Khilafat movement. Major parties in India
have already rejected
the Govt. of India Act 1919 so it was decided to review this act before its due time.
Lord Birkenhead- the Secretary of the State of India feared a defeat of Conservative party in
upcoming elections. If it gets defeated, then Labor party will succeed who will investigate
Indian matters more leniently and sympathetically as they were pro-nationalist.
Thus, a commission of seven men was sent to India under Sir John Simon in 1927. John
Simon and the members of commission were carefully selected in a way that these
members should not be in any way lenient towards Indian nationalism. The commission
proposed for the future constitution of India.
Nehru Report-1928
Q: Why was the Simon Commission Report rejected? [7]