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Simon Commission boycott in Madras

· Chennai

Simon Commission boycott in Madras
Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Protesters in Madras demonstrated against the Simon Commission, and T. Prakasam famously defied police during the protest.

The Indian Statutory Commission headed by John Simon, which had no Indian members, faced protests across India in 1928. In Madras, demonstrators led by Congress leaders shouted Simon Go Back, and police fired on protesters. T. Prakasam is remembered for baring his chest and daring the police to shoot, earning him the title Andhra Kesari. The Justice Party, by contrast, cooperated with the commission.

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