What was Rowlatt Act?

The Rowlatt Act was a law passed by the British government in India in 1919 that allowed them to arrest and detain people without trial.

Introduction to the Rowlatt Act

The Rowlatt Act, officially called the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was introduced by the British colonial rulers in India. It aimed to control political activities and suppress nationalist movements by giving the government special powers.

Key Provisions of the Rowlatt Act

• Detention without Trial: The government could imprison any person suspected of revolutionary activities without a fair trial or any judicial process.
• Restriction on Press: It limited the freedom of the press by censoring newspapers and publications that criticized British rule.
• Restriction on Assembly: People were not allowed to gather or protest without permission from authorities.
• Extended Powers: The act extended emergency wartime powers into peacetime, creating anger among Indians.

Why Was the Rowlatt Act Opposed?

The Indian population saw the Rowlatt Act as a betrayal because it denied civil rights and freedoms promised after World War I. This law sparked widespread protests and unrest, including the famous Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, where many peaceful protestors were killed by British troops.

Impact on Indian Freedom Movement

The Rowlatt Act united Indians across different regions and communities against British rule. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement and called for nationwide protests like the "Rowlatt Satyagraha." The act marked a turning point in India's struggle for independence.