Simon Commission
In 1927, the British government appointed a commission, called Simon Commission. It was to study the constitutional reforms. It had only British members, and no Indian representative was included in it, so the people opposed it. This commission visited India in 1928 and toured many Indian cities. Everywhere, its arrival was opposed; it was showed black flags; people shouted the slogan ‘Simon Go Back’ to oppose it.
The freedom movement received a new surge of energy with this incident. The British government, however, aimed to quell the movement, as it had done in the past. Protesters and leaders were beaten severely and imprisoned. In Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai led a march against the commission and was brutally beaten with lathis. He was seriously injured and eventually passed away.
Demand for Poorna Swaraj
The Congress demanded complete independence or Poorna Swaraj to face the British atrocities. This demand was raised at the Lahore session in 1929. It was also decided that Independence Day would be celebrated on 26 January from the following year onwards.