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Questions and Answers
What was the primary goal of the All Parties Conference convened in 1928 in response to Lord Birkenhead's exclusion of Indians from the Simon Commission?
What was the primary goal of the All Parties Conference convened in 1928 in response to Lord Birkenhead's exclusion of Indians from the Simon Commission?
Who chaired the committee that prepared the Nehru Report after the All Parties Conference?
Who chaired the committee that prepared the Nehru Report after the All Parties Conference?
How many members were proposed for the Senate in the Parliament of India according to the Nehru Report?
How many members were proposed for the Senate in the Parliament of India according to the Nehru Report?
Which principle did the Nehru Report advocate for in terms of electing members to the House of Representation?
Which principle did the Nehru Report advocate for in terms of electing members to the House of Representation?
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What was the basis proposed for reservation of seats for minorities in the Parliament of India according to the Nehru Report?
What was the basis proposed for reservation of seats for minorities in the Parliament of India according to the Nehru Report?
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In which regions were minorities not to be given reserved seats based on population according to the Nehru Report?
In which regions were minorities not to be given reserved seats based on population according to the Nehru Report?
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'New provinces' were proposed to be created in India based on what criteria according to the Nehru Report?
'New provinces' were proposed to be created in India based on what criteria according to the Nehru Report?
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'WW SIMON GO BACK' was a slogan raised by which groups during the discussions around the Nehru Report?
'WW SIMON GO BACK' was a slogan raised by which groups during the discussions around the Nehru Report?
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'Depressed Classes' leaders were involved in discussions related to which significant report or document?
'Depressed Classes' leaders were involved in discussions related to which significant report or document?
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'Dominion Status for India' was a key proposal put forward by which important political document?
'Dominion Status for India' was a key proposal put forward by which important political document?
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Study Notes
The Simon Commission and the National Movement
- The British Government appointed the Simon Commission in November 1927 to investigate the need for further constitutional reforms in India.
- The Commission was composed of seven British members of Parliament, with no Indian member, which was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination and an insult to Indian self-respect.
Boycott of the Simon Commission
- The Indian National Congress, led by Dr. Ansari, decided to boycott the Commission at every stage and in every form at its Madras session in 1927.
- The Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha also supported the Congress in boycotting the Commission.
- An All India Hartal was organised on February 3, 1928, when the Commission reached Bombay, and wherever it went, it was greeted with hartals and black flag demonstrations with the slogan "Simon Go Back".
Consequences of the Boycott
- Lala Lajpat Rai was grievously injured while leading a demonstration at Lahore railway station on October 30, 1928, and later died due to lathi blows from the police.
- The Government used brutal suppression and police attacks to break the popular opposition.
Recommendations of the Simon Commission
- The Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy and complete autonomy in the Provinces, including the department of law and order.
- The Governor should be given overriding powers in certain matters like internal security.
- Provincial Legislative Councils should be enlarged.
- A federal government at the Centre should include British India and the Princely States.
- The Governor-General should select and appoint members of his Cabinet.
- British troops and British officers should stay on in Indian regiments for many more years.
- High Courts should be under the administrative control of the Government of India.
- Communal representation was to continue.
The Nehru Report
- Lord Birkenhead, the Secretary of State for India, justified the exclusion of Indians in the Simon Commission, saying that Indians were not united and could not arrive at an agreed scheme of reforms.
- To refute this charge, an All Parties Conference was convened in 1928, which included Liberals, Assertive Nationalists, leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha, the Muslim League, and the Depressed Classes.
- Motilal Nehru was made the chairman of the committee, with Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and N.C. Kelkar as his principal associates.
- The Nehru Report proposed:
- Dominion Status for India.
- A Parliament of India consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- Joint electorates with reservation of seats for minorities on a population basis.
- Creation of new provinces on a linguistic basis.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the history of the Indian National Congress, focusing on events such as the boycott promotion of India Khadi, the Simon Commission, and the annual sessions. Learn about the organization's role in empowering villages and urban poor during the pre-independence era.
