Nehru Committee Proposals in 1928

The question asks to identify the proposals made by the Motilal Nehru Committee in the year 1928. This committee was formed by the Indian National Congress to draft a constitution for India, which resulted in the famous Nehru Report.

Understanding the Nehru Report (1928)

The Nehru Report, presented in August 1928, was a significant document in India's struggle for independence. It was drafted by a committee led by Pandit Motilal Nehru, with his son Jawaharlal Nehru serving as the secretary. The report aimed to outline a constitutional framework for India, emphasizing self-government and fundamental rights.

Key Proposals of the Nehru Report

• Dominion Status: The report recommended that India should achieve Dominion Status within the British Commonwealth, similar to Canada or Australia.
• Fundamental Rights: It included a comprehensive list of fundamental rights for the citizens of India. This section is often referred to as the 'Bill of Rights' within the context of the report. These rights included freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, universal adult franchise, and equality before the law.
• Federal System: Proposed a federal structure with residual powers vested in the center.
• Responsible Government: Advocated for responsible government both at the center and in the provinces.
• Separation of Powers: Recommended the separation of the judiciary from the executive.

Analysis of Options

Let's examine the given options in relation to the 1928 Motilal Nehru Committee proposals:

• Ilbert Bill: This bill was introduced in 1883, long before the Nehru Committee was formed. It aimed to allow Indian judges to try British offenders in India but faced significant opposition.
• Bill of Rights: The Nehru Report (1928) did contain a detailed Declaration of Rights, which functioned as a Bill of Rights for Indian citizens. This aligns directly with the committee's work.
• Criminal Tribes Act: This Act was enacted much earlier, primarily in 1871, although amendments occurred later. It was not a proposal by the Nehru Committee.
• Sindh Land Aviation Bill: There is no historical record of the Motilal Nehru Committee proposing a bill with this title.

Conclusion

Based on the historical context and the contents of the Nehru Report, the proposal most closely associated with the Motilal Nehru Committee in 1928 among the given options is the Bill of Rights (or Declaration of Rights).