The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because

1. Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
2. Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces
3. there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
4. the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• The Simon Commission had seven members, who were representatives of the three major parties in Britain – Conservative, Liberal, and Labour. However, there was no Indian representative.
• According to the British government, Indians were excluded because:
  • The committee was required to report its proceedings to the British Parliament.
  • There was no unanimity of Indian opinion on the problem of constitutional development. •
• In reality, the Indians were excluded because Birkenhead was afraid that in a mixed commission, there could be an alliance between the Indian and British Labour representatives (who were sympathetic to Indians).

• It recommended:
  • The abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) and the establishment of responsible unitary government in the provinces.
  • The retention of separate electorates.
  • The reservation of seats for depressed classes.
  • The federal structure of the Government.
  • It stated that in order to cope with the diversity of the country, the ultimate character of the Indian government had to be federal.
  • Separation of Burma from India and Sindh from Bombay.
  • The Report did not recommend the establishment of either a responsible government or a dyarchy at the centre.
  • It declared that the responsible government at the centre would be established in future, i.e. wait indefinitely.

Answer: (c) there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission; Difficulty Level: Easy