Question

What was the main allegation against Simon Commission:
A. The Commission was appointed by Viceroy
B. The Commission was headed by a British member
C. The Commission was not a statutory body
D. The commission constituted only British members

Answer 1

Hint: Simon Commission was a group of British members. The commission was set up to enquire about the Government of India act of 1919. The commission made several constitutional reforms. The Commission chaired by Sir John Simon was named after him.

Complete answer: It was a Government of Indian act of 1919, a royal commission was set up on the working of the act. The commission was appointed by the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin and headed by Sir John Simon. Originally it was called an Indian Statutory Commission. The commission proposed the following reforms:
-Responsibilities of the ministers were expanded and provincial dyarchy should be abolished.
-The power of the Governor was enlarged by putting the protection of minorities and special power for the safeguarding of the province under him.
-Council of the state were now to be chosen on the basis of indirect election.
All these reforms sparked agitation amongst Indians. As the commission had only British members and not a single Indian. The commission also refused to accept the demand of swaraj. This led to hartals all over India and protests broke out.
Therefore the correct answer to this question will be option-D, as Indians were more agitated and outraged by the feeling of exclusion by Britishers.

Note: When Sir John Simon visited India, Indians demonstrated with ‘Go back Simon’ slogans. There were massive hartals and protests which led to lathi charge.