Rowlatt Act (1919)
Rowlatt Act (1919)
**1. Background
Context: After World War
I, there was growing unrest in India due to economic hardships, inflation, and
rising nationalist sentiments. The British government, fearing revolutionary
activities, sought to curb dissent.
Formation: The Rowlatt
Act, officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919,
was passed based on the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee, chaired by
Sir Sidney Rowlatt.
**2. Provisions of the Rowlatt Act
Detention without Trial:
The act allowed the government to imprison individuals suspected of terrorism
for up to two years without trial.
Restriction on Freedom of
Expression: The act gave the authorities the power to control and suppress
the press.
Arrests without Warrant:
The police were given the authority to arrest individuals without a warrant on
mere suspicion.
Judicial Review Denied:
The right to appeal and judicial review was severely restricted under this act.
**3. Impact and Reactions
Nationwide Opposition: The
act was met with widespread outrage across India. Leaders from all sections of
society, including moderates and extremists, united in their opposition.
Mahatma Gandhi's Role:
Gandhi termed the Rowlatt Act as "black legislation" and launched a
nationwide hartal (strike) on April 6, 1919, calling for non-cooperation and
peaceful protests.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
(April 13, 1919): The peaceful protests against the Rowlatt Act led to the
tragic Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar, where British troops, under
General Dyer, fired on a gathering of unarmed civilians, killing hundreds. This
incident further inflamed public sentiment against British rule.
**4. Significance
Widespread Nationalist
Movement: The Rowlatt Act galvanized the Indian nationalist movement,
bringing together people from different regions and communities in their
struggle against colonial oppression.
Non-Cooperation Movement: The
discontent generated by the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre laid
the groundwork for the Non-Cooperation Movement, which Gandhi launched in 1920.
Decline of British
Credibility: The act and the subsequent events significantly eroded the
British government's moral authority in India, exposing the repressive nature
of colonial rule.
**5. Legacy
A Turning Point: The
Rowlatt Act is seen as a turning point in the Indian independence movement,
marking a shift from petitions and constitutional methods to mass movements and
civil disobedience.
Increased Demand for
Self-Rule: The widespread opposition to the act highlighted the growing
demand for self-rule and the rejection of British-imposed laws that violated
civil liberties.
The Rowlatt Act remains a symbol of British repression and
the Indian struggle for freedom, illustrating the lengths to which the colonial
government would go to maintain control and the resolve of the Indian people to
resist.
