Question

Q38) Consider the following statements with respect to Simon Commission (1927)
i). The political situation in Britain had forced the British government to appoint the Simon Commission as early as November 1927
ii). Muslim League (faction under Mohammed Shafi) opposed the Commission
iii). In its report, it recommended for establishment of responsible government in the provinces
iv). Its report was one of the contributors to the Government of India Act, 1935
Which of the above is/are correct?

• A. a) i, ii and iv
  
• B. b) ii and iii
  
• C. c) i, iii and iv
  
• D. d) i, ii, iii and iv

Answer 1

The correct option is C c) i, iii and iv


Ans (c)
Simon Commission was appointed in Nov 1927 to review the Government of India Act, 1919. It was to be appointed in 1929(10 years after the Act came into force). But it was appointed in 1927 due to different reasons
Nationalist opinion opposed periodic enquiry and demanded a complete revision of constitutional system
The political situation in Britain forced the Conservative party government (Stanley Baldwin) to appoint the Commission as early as Nov 1927. In the general elections in 1929, labour party was expected to win. Conservative party government in Britain feared defeat at the hands of Labour party in the forthcoming elections. It did not want to leave to leave the future of British India in the hands of the inexperienced & irresponsible labour party
The Conservative government wanted to appoint the Commission at a time when the communal situation had deteriorated so that the Commission should form a low opinion about the capacity of Indians to govern themselves
It had 7 members (All white members). As there was no Indian member, most of the Indians including Congress, Muslim League (under Jinnah), Hindu Mahasabha etc boycotted the Commission. Muslim League (under Mohammed Shafi) did not oppose the commission.
It submitted it’s report in May 1930. It’s recommendations were
Greater India consisting of British India and the Princely States as a federal association was to be established in the future but the clause of British Paramountcy (with Viceroy as the agent of paramount power)was to remain
It did not recommend the establishment of either responsible government or diarchy at the centre. It declared that the establishment of responsible government at the centre was to wait indefinitely i.e it was to established somewhere in the future
Separate electorates to be retained
Proposed reservation of seats for depressed classes
Suggested the replacement of diarchy with full responsible government in the provinces, with the provision of some emergency powers in the hands of the governors
The report of the Simon Commission, the Round Table Conferences, the White Paper published in the 3^rd Round Table Conference etc contributed to the Government of India Act, 1935