The year 2019 marked the centennial of the tragic Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a grim event in Amritsar’s history. Today we reflect and analyse the series of events leading to this massacre, its impact on India’s struggle for independence and the prevailing viewpoint from Britain.
The Path Leading to Conflict: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms 1919
Hopes were high among Indian nationalists that their support for the British during World War I would lead to self-governance. However, the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 fell short of expectations, dubbed “disappointing” and “unsatisfactory”. These reforms were seen as a transitory measure for self-governance, resulting in the Indian government empowering itself with a controversial law–the Rowlatt Act–as a countermeasure against anti-reformist actions.
The Rowlatt Act: A Spark Ignites
The Rowlatt Act, named after Sir Sidney Rowlatt who headed the Sedition Committee, was passed hastily despite strong opposition from Indian Council members. This act granted the government extensive power to suppress political activities, including detaining political prisoners without trial for as long as two years.
Gandhi’s Call and the Rising Tensions
Mahatma Gandhi urged non-violent civil disobedience against these unrighteous laws. His call resonated across India, but before peaceful protests could be initiated, violent demonstrations broke out in several cities. Punjab became a hotspot due to forcible recruitments, wartime oppression and disease outbreaks. In response to Gandhi’s call, shops and schools closed down, bringing life to a standstill.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The Incident that Shocked the Nation
On April 9, 1919, two popular leaders, Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal, were arrested without provocation. This triggered a wave of uproar among Indian protestors. By April 10, peaceful protests had turned violent due to police firing, leading to the imposition of martial law under Brigadier-General Dyer. On April 13, thousands gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, unaware of the imposed prohibitory orders.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 9, 1919 | Arrest of Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr.Satyapal |
| April 10, 1919 | Pan-India protests turn violent |
| April 13, 1919 | Jallianwala Bagh Massacre |
Brigadier-General Dyer’s troops sealed off the only exit and opened fire on the unarmed crowd, leading to the death of over 1000 innocent civilians, marking the tragic event as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Hunter Commission and Nationalist Response
Post-massacre, the only light in the dark was the Hunter Commission, formed to investigate the incident. Established on October 14, 1919, it condemned General Dyer’s actions but refrained from imposing any punitive measures. The Indian National Congress, in response, established a committee including Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Abbas Tyabji, M.R. Jayakar, and Gandhi. Their findings criticised the inhumane act committed by Dyer and condemned martial law implemented in Punjab.
British Apology: Awaiting Acknowledgement
Despite the passage of a hundred years, Britain has not officially apologised for the massacre. British Prime Minister Theresa May labelled it a “shameful scar” on British Indian history but fell short of offering an unequivocal apology. The Labour Party in Britain continues to demand a formal apology, asserting that those who lost their lives in one of the darkest episodes of colonial rule deserve “full, clear and unequivocal apology for what took place”.
