Jallianwala Bagh

 

Context: Rowlatt Act (1919)

• Previously discussed (Background for the events).

• Gandhi called for protest against the Act.

Gandhi's Protest Call (Rowlatt Satyagraha)

• Date: 6th April 1919 declared as:

  • Humiliation Day (అవమానించిన దినం)

  • Fasting Day (ఉపవాస దినం)

  • Prayer Day (ప్రార్థన దినం)

• Method: Satyagraha (Truth and Non-violence). Gandhi urged against violence.

Events Leading to Jallianwala Bagh

1. Sporadic Violence: Despite Gandhi's call for non-violence, some violence occurred in reaction to the Rowlatt Act.

2. Arrests in Punjab: British government arrested two prominent leaders in Punjab:

   • Saifuddin Kitchlew (సైఫుద్దీన్ కిచ్లూ)

   • Dr. Satyapal (సత్యపాల్)

   • Their whereabouts became unknown after the arrest.

Jallianwala Bagh Gathering (13th April 1919)

• Date: 13th April 1919 (Important Date).

• Location: Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab.

• Attendees: Approximately 20,000 people gathered.

• Reasons for Gathering:

  • To peacefully protest the arrest of Kitchlew and Satyapal.

  • To celebrate the Baisakhi festival (Sikh harvest festival, a holy day).

• Meeting President: Kannayya Lal (కన్నయ్య లాల్).

• Nature: Peaceful meeting.

• Venue: Had only one narrow entrance/exit gate, difficult for even vehicles to pass.

The Massacre & Immediate Context

• Martial Law: Punjab Lieutenant Governor (LG) Michael O'Dwyer (మైకేల్ ఓ డయ్యర్) had imposed Martial Law in Punjab earlier that week.

  • (Reference: Speaker mentions Article 34 of Indian Constitution regarding Martial Law restricting fundamental rights, though it wasn't used post-independence).

  • Martial Law prohibited gatherings of more than 4-5 people and restricted freedom of speech.

• The Action: Brigadier General Dyer (ఓ డయ్యర్ - distinct from Michael O'Dwyer) arrived with troops.

  • Gave no warning to the crowd to disperse.

  • Ordered troops to fire into the unarmed crowd.

  • Firing continued until ammunition ran out.

  • Resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

Reactions & Consequences

1. Renouncement of Titles:

   • Rabindranath Tagore: Renounced his Knighthood (నైట్ హుడ్) title (originally given around 1911, possibly related to George V's visit/Jana Gana Mana controversy as mentioned by speaker).

   • Mahatma Gandhi: Renounced his Kaiser-i-Hind (కైజర్-ఎ-హింద్) medal (given for his work during the Boer War in South Africa). (Speaker notes some confusion if this was during NCM, but implies linkage here).

2. Resignation:

   • Shankar Nair (శంకర్ నాయర్): Resigned from the Viceroy's Executive Council (he was one of the 3 Indian members).

3. Widespread Violence: The massacre led to increased violence in Punjab, Bombay, and Bengal.

4. Gandhi Calls Off Satyagraha: Due to the escalating violence, Gandhi called off the Rowlatt Satyagraha on 18th April 1919 (5 days after the massacre).

5. Rowlatt Act Repeal: The Rowlatt Act itself was eventually repealed in 1922 by Viceroy Lord Reading (during the Non-Cooperation Movement).

Investigations

1. Hunter Commission (British Official Committee):

   • Investigated the massacre.

   • Gave a clean chit to General Dyer, stating it was a "Mistaken conception of his duty" (విధులను అర్థం చేసుకోవడంలో పొరపాటు).

   • Reported 379 killed and approx. 1100 wounded.

   • Gandhi criticized the report as a "Whitewash" (నిజాన్ని దాచిపెట్టడం).

2. INC Unofficial Committee:

   • Conducted by the Indian National Congress.

   • Members included: CR Das, Motilal Nehru, Jayakar, Gandhi.

   • Reported approx. 1000 killed and 1500 wounded.

Other Related Points & Long-term Impact

• Horniman (హార్నిమెన్): Editor of the Bombay Chronicle (బొంబాయి క్రానికల్), exposed the Jallianwala Bagh incident to the world and was subsequently deported by the British.

• Benjamin Polk (బెంజిమన్ పోల్క్): Built a memorial stupa for the Jallianwala Bagh martyrs (జలియన్ వాలా బాగ్ అమరవీరుల స్థూపం). (Speaker mentions recent modifications by the Modi government).

• Bhagat Singh (భగత్ సింగ్): Visited the site as a young boy (around 11/12), collected soil, and the event turned him towards revolutionary activities.

• Udham Singh (ఉద్దమ్ సింగ్): Witnessed the massacre, vowed revenge, and assassinated Michael O'Dwyer (the LG, not General Dyer) in London in 1940. Udham Singh was subsequently hanged. (Speaker notes General Dyer died naturally from nerve issues).

• Hindu-Muslim Unity: The Khilafat Movement (next topic) saw significant Hindu-Muslim unity against the British, the first major instance since 1857.