Government of India Act of 1919
Also called the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms introduced, a bi-cameral central legislature, with directly elected members, more number of people being given the voting rights, and introduction of Dyarchy in the provinces - with provincial subjects divided into reserved and transferred subjects. The popularly elected were appointed as ministers and were concerned with the transferred subjects. This Act is prominent for it gave for the first time some real power to the Indian ministers in terms of the transferred subjects.
Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh massacre
The end of the World War I in 1919, saw the appointment of Rowlatt committee that studied the need for measures to contain freedom movements in India . Rowlatt gave extreme powers to the provincial governors in quelling the people's movements across India . The Rowlatt Act was described as a draconian law. At Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab the police resorted to killing of innocent masses who gathered to protest against the arrest of their leaders. This incident is considered as the most heinous crime on humanity, with many innocent women and children being ruthlessly put to death. Mahatma Gandhi who came to provide leadership to the Congress and the freedom struggle surrendered all titles and honors conferred on him by the British, and condemned the British atrocities at Jallianwala Bagh.
Non-cooperation Movement
There was an increasing demand for Swaraj or total freedom for India , and the Congress demanded the grant of the same, unconditionally. The Punjab wrongs in the form of Jallianwala Bagh massacre were still fresh in the minds of nationalists, who demanded the undoing of the Punjab wrongs. The non-cooperation movement was launched by the Congress, with swadesh, boycott and satyagraha as the watchwords of the movement. The British fearing of massive upsurge crushed the movement by use of force, and arresting of all the prominent leaders. By 1928 the Simon Commission was appointed and it promised a responsible government in India with greater participation of Indians at all levels of governance. The Simon commission met with strong opposition from nationalists, for the commission did not include any Indian member.
Civil Disobedience Movement
The demand for Swaraj was on the rise. The younger generation of Congress leadership rose to the occasion under Jawaharlal Nehru demanded Swaraj, and called for the launch of Civil Disobedience Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Jawaharlal Nehru decided to celebrate January 26 as the first Independence Day. Mahatma Gandhi started the Civil Disobedience movement at Dandi in Gujarat , by making salt and thereby breaking the salt law. The Civil Disobedience Movement spread to the length and breadth of India , and the British resorted to increased repression and arrest of the national leaders. |
