Rowlatt Act 1919 (IN ENGLISH)

Rowlatt Act 1919 (IN ENGLISH)

Rowlatt Act 1919 | What is Rowlatt Act?

1 Rowlatt Act, 1919 in English

The Rowlatt Act was enacted on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee headed by Sir Sidney Rowlatt. The British government set up a committee in 1916 under the chairmanship of Judge Sidney Rowlatt, whose task was to formulate an effective plan to crush revolutionary terrorism in India.

The official name of the Rowlatt Act was the Anarchic and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919. Rowlatt Act is also known as 'Black Law'. The main objective of the British Government through the Rowlatt Act, 1919 was to end the individual liberty of Indians in the name of suppressing revolutionary activities.

The salient features of the Rowlatt Act, 1919 were as follows-

• Power to cancel search, arrest and right of habeas corpus without warrant.
• Fundamental rights like freedom of expression were curtailed.
• Permission to detain political prisoners for 2 years without trial.
• Right to go to jail without trial in court.
• Establishment of a separate court to try the trial of sedition.
• There is no right of appeal to any High Court after the decision of the case.
• The offender has no right to know the name of the person who has registered a case against him.
• The right of judges to hear without the aid of a jury.
• suppression of freedom of the press.
• Right to imprison any person according to his will.
• Right to be expelled from the country.

2. Satyagraha against Rowlatt Act, 1919 - First mass movement3. Frequently Asked Questions

Protests started across the country against the Rowlatt Act. There were nationwide strikes, processions and demonstrations against this law. Indians called this law as black law. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Mohammad Ali Jinnah resigned from the membership of the Central Legislature in protest against the Rowlatt Act, 1919.

Mahatma Gandhi called for a massive nationwide movement against the Rowlatt Act, 1919. The Rowlatt Act Satyagraha was the first mass movement by Gandhiji at the national level. Gandhiji had great support from the members of the Home Rule League.

April 6 was fixed as the date for starting the Satyagraha, but due to a misunderstanding of the date, the movement turned violent even before the Satyagraha could begin. Violent resistance started in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Lahore. The government was forced to take the help of the army.

After that the incident of Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13 April 1919. After this, in many places, the agitators left the path of non-violence and adopted the path of violence. For this reason, on 18 April 1919, Gandhiji announced the end of his Satyagraha.

3. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. In which year the Rowlatt Act was passed in India?

-   January 26, 1919.

Q. Who was the Viceroy of India when Rowlatt Act was passed?

-   Lord Chelmsford (1916-21)

Q. When did Mahatma Gandhi return to India from Africa?

-   1915

Q. When was Rowlatt Act came into force?

-   March 1919.

Q. What was the purpose of Rowlatt Act?

 -   To stop the emerging national movement in India.

Q. Which day was observed as Non-violent Protest Day?

-   8 April 1919

Q. Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of Jallianwala Bagh massacre?

-   Lord Chelmsford (1916-21)