The Simon Commission (1927)
' The 1919 Act had provided for the appointment of a Commission to review the provisions of the Act in the light of its working and to extend, modify or restrict 'the degree of responsibility of government of India. The Commission was to be appointed in 1929 as per the provisions of the Act. it for various politicalreasons, it was appointed in 1927 with Sir John Simon as its Chairman. The all- European composition of the Commission was taken as an insult to Indian nationalism. The Indian National Congress, therefore, decided to boycott the Commission at every stage and in every form. The slogan 'Simon Go Back' had an
electrifying effect. There was also a revival of terrorist activity reflecting the anger of the people due to the manner in which the national leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai were treated by the police. The Commission, however, completed its work. The recommendations of the report were further examined by the Joint Select Committee of the Parliament.
1 The Simon report recommended the discontinuation of the dyarchy and leave provincial government in the hands of ministers responsible to provincial legislatures. some safeguards, however, were retained in the interest of minorities in the grant of special powers to the Governor. It recommended a Federation like
structure at the Centre - a 'Council of Greater India' representing both the interests -the British India and the princely States. Political atmosphere in India was hostile to acceptance of the report. Otherwise, some of the recommendations of the Simon Commission would have hastened the process of fully responsible government in the provinces as well as at the centre.
The Nehru Scheme
Boycotting the Simon Commission was a negative way of response. The challenge was to frame a proposal of constitutional reforms acceptable to all. An All Party Conference was, therefore, called at-Delhi in February 1928 and it came out with a report within six months (August, 1928) known as the Nehru
Report. It was named after Pandit Motilal Nehru,;the Chairman of the Committee which was constituted to draft the recommendations. The Indian National Congress ratified the Nehru report in its Calcutta session held in December 1928. !
The report recommended responsible governments both at the provinces and the Centre. The Central government had bicameral legislature. Its lower house (The House of Representatives) was directly elected from joint non-communal constituencies. The distribution of power was on federal basis with residual
powers retained with the Centre. It recommended settina up a defence committee with advisory functions. It also provided Fundamental Rights in the constitution. The Report suggested reorganisation of provinces (creation of Sindh, and raising the status of North West Frontier province) so as to help Muslims have majority in four provinces. It recommended princely states to hasten the introduction of similar changes.
Report. It was named after Pandit Motilal Nehru,;the Chairman of the Committee which was constituted to draft the recommendations. The Indian National Congress ratified the Nehru report in its Calcutta session held in December 1928. !
The report recommended responsible governments both at the provinces and the Centre. The Central government had bicameral legislature. Its lower house (The House of Representatives) was directly elected from joint non-communal constituencies. The distribution of power was on federal basis with residual
powers retained with the Centre. It recommended settina up a defence committee with advisory functions. It also provided Fundamental Rights in the constitution. The Report suggested reorganisation of provinces (creation of Sindh, and raising the status of North West Frontier province) so as to help Muslims have majority in four provinces. It recommended princely states to hasten the introduction of similar changes.
Government of India Act,1935:
Main Features
The White Paper and the Joint Select Committee report shaping the Government of India Act 1935 dropped and altered many suggestions of the Simon Commission and the recommendations of the Round Table conferences. This confirms that 'British nation has no intention whatsoever of relinquishing effective control of Indian life and progress' (Winston Churchill). The Act retained the supremacy of
the British Parliament and also the Preamble of the Act of 1919. It meant 'gradual realisation of self governing institutions' as the goal and there was no mention of Dominion status and the inclusion of provisions to attain it. All rights of amending, altering or repealing the provisions were kept with the British Parliament. The Act removed dyarchy of the provincial level but introduced it at the Central level. It
also introduced safeguards operated in the interest of the British. For the first time, the wide range of subjects were classified in the three list system and assigned to appropriate level of government. This was a novel experiment.
the British Parliament and also the Preamble of the Act of 1919. It meant 'gradual realisation of self governing institutions' as the goal and there was no mention of Dominion status and the inclusion of provisions to attain it. All rights of amending, altering or repealing the provisions were kept with the British Parliament. The Act removed dyarchy of the provincial level but introduced it at the Central level. It
also introduced safeguards operated in the interest of the British. For the first time, the wide range of subjects were classified in the three list system and assigned to appropriate level of government. This was a novel experiment.
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