Dr Ambedkar and the Simon Commission
Modern History › Simon Commission and the Nehru Report · Topic 19.5
Dr B.R. Ambedkar, appointed by the Bombay Legislative Council to work with the Simon Commission, appeared before it in October 1928. He argued for universal adult franchise, provincial autonomy and dyarchy at the Centre, and, for the Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha, submitted a memorandum that asked for the depressed classes to be treated as a distinct minority with reserved seats or separate electorates.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Simon Commission and the Nehru Report
At a Glance
- When October 1928
- Appointed by The Bombay Legislative Council, to work with the commission
- Organisation Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha
- Demand Representation for the depressed classes, on the same basis as the Muslim minority
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Simon Commission and the Nehru Report
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fifth and last topic of the category on the Simon Commission and the Nehru Report. The previous topic covered the communal responses to the Nehru Report. This topic covers Dr Ambedkar’s evidence before the commission. The next category begins with the run-up to the Civil Disobedience Movement. Previous topic: Mahasabha Opposed new Muslim-majority provinces; wanted…">Muslim and Hindu Communal Responses to the Nehru Report.
Who Was Ambedkar’s Role With the Commission?
Dr Ambedkar was appointed by the Bombay Legislative Council to work with the Simon Commission. In October 1928 he went before the commission. This was at a time when most Indian political groups were boycotting it, as described in Appointment of the Simon Commission and the Indian Response, which makes his appearance a distinct episode in the story of the commission.
What Constitutional Demands Did He Make?
Ambedkar argued for universal adult franchise for men and women alike, for provincial autonomy in the provinces and for dyarchy at the Centre. Universal adult franchise was at the time yet to be guaranteed in most European countries, so the demand was notable.
| Demand | Detail |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Universal adult franchise, male and female |
| Provinces | Provincial autonomy |
| Centre | Dyarchy |
What Did the Memorandum on the Depressed Classes Say?
On behalf of the Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha, he submitted a memorandum on the rights and safeguards he felt the depressed classes required.
| Argument | Content |
|---|---|
| Link with Hindus | He said there was no link between the depressed classes and the Hindu community, and that they should be regarded as a distinct and independent minority |
| Need for protection | As a minority they needed far greater political protection than any other minority in British India, because of educational backwardness, economic poverty, social enslavement and grave political disabilities from which no other community suffered |
| Representation | Representation on the same basis as the Mohammedan minority |
| Reserved seats | Reserved seats for the depressed classes if universal adult franchise was granted |
| Separate electorate | If universal franchise was not granted, he would campaign for a separate electorate for the depressed classes |
| Safeguards | Safeguards in the constitution if possible, or else in the form of advice in the instrument to the governor on the education of the depressed classes and their entry into public services |
As an analytical point, the memorandum linked representation with social conditions: it argued that the depressed classes needed more protection than other minorities because of the disabilities they alone suffered, not just because of numbers.
How Did the Simon Report Treat These Demands?
The report of the Simon Commission did grant reserved seats to the depressed classes, but on the condition that candidates who took part in elections would first have their competence endorsed by the Governor of the province. Ambedkar was most displeased with this, and in any case the report remained a dead letter. The report’s other recommendations are in Recommendations of the Simon Commission.
What Followed?
The question of representation for the depressed classes was taken up again in the Round Table Conferences and in the decision of 1932, covered in First and Second Round Table Conferences, Communal Award, 1932 and Separate electorates for the depressed classes Seats…">Poona Pact and Its Impact on Dalits. The differences between Gandhi and Ambedkar on these issues are in Gandhi and Ambedkar: Ideological Differences and Similarities. Ambedkar’s earlier activity in the caste movements of the 1920s, with the Mahars in Maharashtra, is in Peasant Agitations and Caste Movements in the 1920s.
His evidence before the commission is thus an early statement of the position that he would hold at the Round Table Conferences: that the depressed classes were a distinct minority needing their own political safeguards.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Early statement of demands Ambedkar’s 1928 position is a Prelims and Mains fact
- Distinct minority argument Underlies the later debate on the Communal Award
- Adult franchise Shows an early demand for universal suffrage
What Came Next?
The next category begins with the run-up to the Civil Disobedience Movement, starting with Irwin’s Declaration and the Delhi Manifesto. Next topic: Run-up to Civil Disobedience: Irwin’s Declaration and the Delhi Manifesto.
Key People and Terms
- Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha The body on whose behalf Ambedkar submitted the memorandum
- Depressed classes The term then used for groups now called Dalits
- Universal adult franchise The right of all adults to vote
- Reserved seats Seats set aside in legislatures for a community
- Separate electorate Voting only for candidates of one’s own community
- Instrument to the governor The directions given to a governor on how to exercise powers
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Appeared before the commission in October 1928.
- Appointed by the Bombay Legislative Council.
- Memorandum for the Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha.
- Wanted representation on the same basis as the Muslim minority.
- Simon report gave reserved seats but required the governor’s endorsement of candidates.
Do Not Confuse With
- Reserved seats and separate electorate Reserved seats if adult franchise; separate electorate if not
- Simon report and Communal Award The Simon report was a dead letter; the Communal Award came in 1932
- Ambedkar’s 1928 and 1932 positions 1928 evidence before the commission; 1932 Poona Pact negotiations
Memory Hook
Adult vote for all, a minority of his own, and seats on the Muslim model.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about Ambedkar’s demands before the commission. These points add depth.
- Franchise Universal adult suffrage
- Minority status Distinct and independent
- Outcome Report granted seats but with a condition
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“What demands did Dr Ambedkar put before the Simon Commission for the depressed classes, and how were they treated?”
How to Answer
- Context His role with the commission.
- Demands Franchise, minority status, seats and safeguards.
- Treatment Governor’s endorsement condition and a dead letter.
- Conclude Prelude to the later debates.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Dr Ambedkar's role in relation to the Simon Commission?
The Bombay Legislative Council appointed Dr Ambedkar to work with the Simon Commission, and he appeared before it in October 1928. He presented constitutional demands and a memorandum for the Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha on the rights of the depressed classes.
What constitutional demands did Ambedkar make?
He argued for universal adult franchise for men and women, for provincial autonomy in the provinces and for dyarchy at the Centre. Universal adult franchise was at that time yet to be guaranteed in most European countries.
How did Ambedkar describe the depressed classes?
He said there was no link between the depressed classes and the Hindu community and that they should be treated as a distinct and independent minority, needing far greater political protection than any other minority because of their educational backwardness, poverty, social enslavement and political disabilities.
What representation did Ambedkar demand for the depressed classes?
He demanded representation on the same basis as the Muslim minority, with reserved seats if universal adult franchise was granted. If it was not, he said he would campaign for a separate electorate. He also asked for safeguards in the constitution or in the governor's instrument.
What did the Simon report give the depressed classes?
The report granted reserved seats to the depressed classes, but candidates had first to have their competence endorsed by the Governor. Ambedkar was most displeased with this condition, and the report in any case remained a dead letter.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Dr Ambedkar appeared before the Simon Commission in October 1928.
The Bombay Legislative Council had appointed him to work with it.
2 Ambedkar submitted a memorandum on behalf of the Bahishkrita Hitakarini Sabha.
It dealt with the rights and safeguards of the depressed classes.
3 Ambedkar argued that the depressed classes were part of the Hindu community.
He said they should be a distinct and independent minority.
4 Ambedkar favoured universal adult franchise for men and women.
He also wanted reserved seats if it was granted.
5 The Simon report required the governor to endorse the competence of depressed class candidates.
Ambedkar was displeased with this condition.
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