Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Indian Statutory Commission, popularly known as the Simon Commission, was appointed by the British Government in November 1927 to review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, and suggest further constitutional reforms. Its arrival in India in February 1928 triggered widespread protests due to its exclusionary composition.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Commission was composed of seven members, all of whom were British (White). There was no Indian member in the commission. This racial exclusion was seen as an insult to the self-respect of Indians and a denial of their right to determine their own constitution, leading to the slogan "Simon Go Back."
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: While Mahatma Gandhi supported the boycott resolution passed by the Congress at the Madras Session (1927), he did not personally lead the street protests in Bombay. The protests were decentralized and led by various local and national leaders in different cities. For instance, Lala Lajpat Rai led the protest in Lahore (where he was lathi-charged), and Jawaharlal Nehru and Govind Ballabh Pant led the protests in Lucknow. Gandhi was primarily engaged in constructive work and the Bardoli issue during this specific timeframe.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Bardoli Satyagraha took place in 1928 in the Surat district of Gujarat. It was a "no-tax" movement led by Vallabhbhai Patel (who earned the title 'Sardar' here) against an unjust hike in land revenue. This peasant movement coincided chronologically with the anti-Simon Commission agitation.
Key Takeaway
The Simon Commission (1927-28) faced a nationwide boycott primarily because it was an "All-White" body. The year 1928 is also significant for the Bardoli Satyagraha, a successful peasant movement led by Sardar Patel.