What is it?
- As per recommendations of the Sydney Rowlatt commission (1917 ) who was appointed to examine and repress the country’s revolutionary movements, the Rowlatt Act was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919.
- The acts provided for the non-jury trial of some political crimes and the imprisonment of suspects without charge.
- Provisions of the Act.
- Constant wartime constraints.
- The act gave the government the jail authority anyone without a trial or conviction in a court of law and as a result, the government suspended the right to habeas corpus.
- Detention without trial for up to two years.
- No right to challenge the court’s decision.
Satyagraha Against the Rowlatt Act by Gandhi
- On February 24, 1919, Gandhi established the Satyagraha Sabha in Bombay to protest the Rowlatt Bill.
- Supporters of the Movement
- The younger members of Peasant’s Home Rule League, including leaders like Jamnadas Dwarkadas, and Shankarlal Banerjee.
- On the question of Khilafat and Turkey’s loss in World War I, Muslim leaders such as Abdul Bari and Dr. M A Ansari joined Gandhi.
- Opposition
- Liberal leaders like Surendranath Banerjee, D E Wacha, T B Sapru, and Srinivas Sastri opposed the movement.
- Leaders like Annie Besant were also opposed.
- Spread of Movement
- The Rowlatt Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first All-India Satyagraha protest.
- It was originally scheduled for March 30th but was later moved to April 6th. It was declared National Humiliation Day.
- Gandhi advised the Satyagrahis to defy the law, particularly the prohibition on carrying illegal books and literature.
- Arrest of Gandhi: Gandhi traveled from Bombay on April 8th to expand and support the Satyagraha in Delhi and Punjab. However, Gandhi was apprehended from a train near Delhi and transported back to Bombay.