Week 04 Lecture 01 Nehru report 1928
Week 04 Lecture 01 Nehru report 1928
REPORT 1928
INTRODUCTION
It was submitted on August 28, 1928
This was the first major attempt by Indians to draft a constitution for
themselves.
Primary motive of assigning Dominion status to India within the British
Commonwealth.
Major Components of the Report:
1.Bill of Rights
2.Assigning Equal rights to men & women as citizens
3.Formation of a federal form of government with residuary powers in the hands
of the Centre
4.Proposal for the creation of the Supreme Court
BACKGROUND
Simon Commission 1928:
The INC criticized the commission as the Commission had no Indian members.
Lord Birkenhead:
Secretary of State for India at that time.
He challenged the Indian leaders to draft a constitution for India
He believed that Indians could not find a common path & draft a constitution.
Fundamental Rights:
19 rights, including voting for men and women above 21 (unless disqualified).
Equal Rights:
Equal citizenship rights for men and women.
Secularism:
No state religion.
Electoral System:
No separate electorates for any community; just preserved minority seats.
Reservations for Muslims at the province & Center (except in Bengal/Punjab) & non-Muslims in
NWFP.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
REPORT
Federal Government:
Residual powers with the center; bicameral legislature; ministry accountable to the
legislature.
Governor-General:
Constitutional head appointed by the British monarch.
Supreme Court:
Proposal to establish a Supreme Court.
Linguistic Provinces:
Provinces to be formed along linguistic lines.
Language Policy:
Indian languages (Devanagari, Telugu, Tamil, etc.) as national languages; Usage of
English to be permitted.
NEHRU REPORT: REACTIONS
& CONTROVERSIES
Communal Representation Debate:
• Delhi Proposals (1927) (Accepted by Congress at Madras session):
• A set of Demands was set by AIML in 1927 to address Muslim’s interests.
• M. A. Jinnah presented the proposal
• 1/3rd Muslim representation in the Central Legislature.
• Proportional Muslim representation in Punjab & Bengal.
• Creation of three Muslim-majority provinces – Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP.