--- title: "Simon Commission Boycott (1928): Causes & Effects" description: "The Simon Commission Boycott was a 1928 protest against an all-British commission, highlighting Indian nationalism and impacting future constitutional reforms." url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/simon-commission-boycott" --- [New](https://modeldiplomat.com/) # Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026 TL;DR - The Simon Commission Boycott was the 1928–29 Indian nationalist protest against an all-British statutory commission appointed to review constitutional reform without a single Indian member. - Why was the Simon Commission boycotted by Indian parties? - How is the boycott connected to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai? - What was the Nehru Report's relationship to the Simon Commission Boycott? - What did the Simon Commission ultimately recommend? [Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026 Go beyond the definition ## Research Simon Commission Boycott like a delegate Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students. ## Timeline 1. 8 November 1927 Anticipating an unfavourable Labour government in the near future, the Conservative administration of Stanley Baldwin advanced the timetable and appointed th… 2. 3 February 1928 When the Commission landed at Bombay on , it was met by a hartal and crowds chanting the slogan that defined the episode — "Simon Go Back." 3. 30 October 1928 The most consequential single incident occurred at Lahore on , when Lala Lajpat Rai led a black-flag procession against the Commission. 4. 17 November 1928 Scott, and Lajpat Rai sustained blows that contributed to his death on . 5. 17 December 1928 The killing triggered a chain of events: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad resolved to avenge him and, on , shot dead Assistant Superint… ## Positions at a glance ### Indian National Congress The boycott crystallised almost immediately. At its Madras session in December 1927, presided over by M. A. Ansari, the Indian National Congress resolved to boycott the Commission "at every stage and in every form." The Muslim League, then meeting under the leadership of figures including Muhammad Ali Jinnah, split, with Jinnah's faction joining the boycott while the Shafi League cooperated. The Hindu Mahasabha and the Liberal Federation of Tej Bahadur Sapru also endorsed non-cooperation. The operative mechanics were straightforward: nationalist organisations refused to testify before the Commission, declined to nominate members to the provincial committees that were to assist it, and organised black-flag demonstrations wherever the commissioners travelled. When the Commission landed at Bombay on 3 February 1928, it was met by a hartal and crowds chanting the slogan that defined the episode — "Simon Go Back." ### All-India Muslim League The boycott crystallised almost immediately. At its Madras session in December 1927, presided over by M. A. Ansari, the Indian National Congress resolved to boycott the Commission "at every stage and in every form." The Muslim League, then meeting under the leadership of figures including Muhammad Ali Jinnah, split, with Jinnah's faction joining the boycott while the Shafi League cooperated. The Hindu Mahasabha and the Liberal Federation of Tej Bahadur Sapru also endorsed non-cooperation. The operative mechanics were straightforward: nationalist organisations refused to testify before the Commission, declined to nominate members to the provincial committees that were to assist it, and organised black-flag demonstrations wherever the commissioners travelled. When the Commission landed at Bombay on 3 February 1928, it was met by a hartal and crowds chanting the slogan that defined the episode — "Simon Go Back." ## Research it like a delegate Research on modeldiplomat.com ## Ask a follow-up about Simon Commission Boycott Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers. [Start research on Simon Commission Boycott](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Simon%20Commission%20Boycott%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources) Example When the Simon Commission landed at Bombay on 3 February 1928, Indian National Congress activists greeted it with a hartal and black flags bearing the slogan "Simon Go Back." Keep learning ## Go deeper than the definition [Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services) ## Take Simon Commission Boycott beyond the glossary Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.