HISTORY TOPICS , ROWLATT ACT , JALLIAWALA BAGH , MASSACRE

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Rowlatt Act,1919

  • British government had been concerned about rising Indian nationalism. The situation had altered after the war. The British were then determined to put an end to the Indian uprising before it got powerful enough to drive them out of the country. At this point, all Indian hopes were shattered when the British proclaimed the dishonest Montagu-Chelmsford “reforms” and enforced the draconian Rowlatt Act in response to the Rowlatt Commission’s recommendations.
  • Rowlatt Committee was a “sedition committee” formed by British Indian Government in 1917, presided over by Sidney Rowlatt.
  • Purpose: To assess political terrorism in India, particularly in the Bengal and Punjab provinces, as well as its impact and connections to the German government and the Russian Bolsheviks.
  • Imperial Legislative Council passed the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919, widely known as the ‘Rowlatt Act,’ in February 1919.
  • It replaced the Defence of India Act (1915), enacted during World War I, with a permanent statute that granted the British additional control over Indians, based on the recommendation of a commission led by Justice S.A.T. Rowlatt.
  • This Act was intended to restrict the press by imprisoning political activists without trial and arresting any person accused of sedition or treason without a warrant. The major grounds for the Act’s enactment, according to the committee, are:
    • Difficulty in obtaining proof for the possession of weapons and arms, and evidence to satisfy the ordinary courts.
    • Inadequacy of police investigation, and facilities enjoyed by the criminals.
    • Uselessness of confessions
    • Protracted nature of trials due to cross-examination on unimportant matters.
    • Many acquittals as compared to convictions.
    • Vilification campaign in the press
  • This Act was fiercely opposed throughout India with the popular slogan, ‘Na Vakil, Na Dalil, Na Appeal’.
  • Gandhi organized his first mass strike in India against this act. He led a Satyagraha Sabha and roped in younger members of Home Rule Leagues and Pan Islamists. He appealed to women to participate in the movement, this is regarded as formal entry of ordinary.
  • The act was followed by the horrific incident of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (It was a peaceful protest against the arrest of Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal.) in April 1919 which led Gandhi to withdraw this movement.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

  • During World War I (1914–18), Colonial government enacted a series of repressive emergency powers. These were made to combat subversive activities and to stop anti-British sentiments from rising.
  • After the war ended, expectations were high among Indians that those measures would be eased and that India would be given more political autonomy. However, they were awarded by Rowlatt Act.
  • Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919 by Imperial Legislative Council. This act extended extreme wartime measures.
  • To this, situation in Punjab was very volatile, and many protests were taking place. To control it, Punjab was put under martial law, which meant that it became unlawful for more than four people to assemble at a place.

Events of the Day

  • On a fateful day, a crowd of at least 20,000 men, women, and children gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. The place was completely enclosed on all sides, with only one exit.
  • The civilians had assembled for a peaceful protest to condemn the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, who had demonstrated against the Rowlatt Acts.
  • Among the crowd were pilgrims who had come to celebrate Baisakhi, the annual harvest festival.
  • General Reginald Dyer arrived there with his troops and ordered them to shoot the unarmed citizens. The indiscriminate firing started, and the shooters only stopped to reload.
  • It killed about 399 people officially and injured many.
  • The British government was now at the peak of its colonial arrogance. It was highly criticized by all nationalists and even some British.

Aftermath of the Event

  • Hunter Commission: Also referred to as Disorders Inquiry Committee. Hunter Commission held General Dyer guilty but did not impose any punishment on him, nor any disciplinary action was taken. He was relieved of his services in 1920.
  • Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood title.
  • Gandhi gave up his title of ‘Kaiser-e-hind’ given to him by British for his activities in Boer War in South Africa.
  • The massacre continues to inspire revulsion, even in the UK. Queen Elizabeth had also called the incident a “distressing example” of Britain’s history with India.

Impact on Indian independence

  • Decisive moment when Indians were alienated from British rule.
  • Ignited a new wave of nationalism.
  • Foundation of Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat movement.
  • Supported the cause for revolutionary movements in Punjab with the formation of Hindustan Republican Association.
  • Extremist wing of Congress got mass support to go hard on British Policies.