Rowlatt Act 1919

 

Topic: Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) - సహాయ నిరాకరణ ఉద్యమం & Rowlatt Act 1919

1. Introduction to NCM:
* NCM stands for Non-Cooperation Movement (సహాయ నిరాకరణ ఉద్యమం).
* It was the first mass movement led by Mahatma Gandhi under the banner of the Indian National Congress (INC).
* It involved participation from all sections of Indian society.

2. Causes for NCM (Reasons for launching the movement):
* The speaker identifies four main immediate causes:
1. Rowlatt Act, 1919 (Infamous Act)
2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919 - consequence of Rowlatt Act protests)
3. Khilafat Movement
4. Indian Response to the Government of India Act, 1919
* Gandhi presented these four issues as demands/ultimatum to the British government. When the British didn't respond favorably, the NCM was launched.

3. Focus of this Lecture: Rowlatt Act 1919

 

*   **Context/Background:**
    *   World War I (WWI) started in July 1914. Britain was heavily involved.
    *   To suppress nationalist activities in India during the war, the British passed the **Indian Defence Regulation Act, 1915**.
    *   This Act was temporary, meant to last until the end of the war plus six months.
    *   WWI ended in November 1918. Therefore, the Defence Regulation Act was set to expire around April 1919.
    *   The British felt the need for a new repressive law to continue controlling nationalist movements even after the war.
    *   A committee was formed under **Sir Sidney Rowlatt** in 1919 to suggest measures.

*   **Rowlatt Act (1919):**
    *   Based on the Rowlatt Committee's recommendations.
    *   **Official/Technical Name:** Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919 (అరాచక మరియు విప్లవాత్మక నేరాల చట్టం).
    *   Became popularly known as the Rowlatt Act.
    *   **Key Provisions (Repressive Measures):**
        *   **Arrest without warrant:** Police could arrest any person without a warrant based on suspicion.
        *   **House search without warrant:** Allowed searches of premises without warrants.
        *   **Imprisonment without trial:** Detention for up to **two years** without any judicial trial.
    *   **Violation of Fundamental Rights:** This Act directly violated the principle of **Habeas Corpus** (the right to be produced before a court and know the reason for arrest).

*   **Indian Response & Gandhi's Satyagraha:**
    *   **Resignations from Council:** Several Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council resigned in protest. The speaker names:
        *   M.A. Jinnah (Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
        *   Mazhar-ul-Haq
        *   Malaviya (Madan Mohan Malaviya)
        *   B.N. Sharma (Likely meant B.N. Sarma, though contextually Malaviya, Jinnah, Haq fit the Imperial Council resignations better)
        *   *Note:* Sir Sankaran Nair supported the Act initially but resigned from the Viceroy's Executive Council *after* the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
    *   **Gandhi's Action:**
        *   Established the **Satyagraha Sabha** in Bombay on **February 24, 1919**.
        *   Called for a nationwide **Hartal** (strike/shutdown) on **April 6, 1919**.
        *   Designated April 6th as:
            *   **Humiliation Day** (అవమాన దినం)
            *   **Prayer Day** (ప్రార్థన దినం)
            *   **Fasting Day** (ఉపవాస దినం)
        *   The method was **Satyagraha**: Based on Truth (Satya) and Non-violence (Ahimsa). Gandhi stressed avoiding violence.

*   **Significance:**
    *   The **Rowlatt Satyagraha** (protest against the Rowlatt Act) was Gandhi's **first nationwide mass movement** involving people from all walks of life (farmers, workers, women, students etc.).
    *   *Distinction:* While Rowlatt Satyagraha was the first *all-India mass movement* by Gandhi, the **NCM** was the first *all-India mass movement* formally launched *under the INC's banner* by Gandhi.
    *   The Rowlatt Act was eventually repealed in **1922**.
    *   *Connection to AFSPA:* The speaker notes a similarity in the repressive nature of the Rowlatt Act and the modern Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958.