The Jallianwala Bagh massacre marked a turning point in India’ | LBSNAA : OUR DREAM IAS (UPSC)
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre marked a turning point in India’s struggle for Independence.
What led to the Massacre?
* The Rowlatt Act (Black Act) was passed on March 10, 1919, authorizing the government to imprison or confine, without a trial, any person associated with seditious activities.
* Gandhiji initiated Satyagraha to protest against the Rowlatt Act.
* On April 7, 1919, he published an article called Satyagrahi, describing ways to oppose the Rowlatt Act.
* On April 9, 1919, orders were issued to arrest Dr Satyapal and Dr Kitchlew, the two prominent leaders of Hindu-Muslim unity, who were peacefully protesting against the Rowlatt Act in Amritsar.
* On April 10, 1919, the infuriated protestors demanded the release of the two leaders. Here they were fired upon, & many people were wounded and killed.
* After passing the Rowlatt Act, the Punjab Government set out to suppress all opposition.
* Despite General Dyer’s orders prohibiting unlawful assembly, people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919 to celebrate Baisakhi, condemn the firing on April 10 & pressurising the release of the leaders.
* When the news reached him, he entered the Bagh, deployed his troops and ordered them to open fire without giving any warning.
