The Rowlatt Act also known as the “Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919” was enacted by the British government in order to strengthen their grip on power over the common people. The Imperial Legislative Council passed this law in March 1919, giving them the authority to arrest anyone without a trial. To abolish this act, Gandhi and other leaders called for a Hartal (work stoppage) to demonstrate Indians' opposition to this rule, which became known as the Rowlatt Satyagraha. In this article we will discuss the Rowlatt Act which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Rowlatt Act - Background

• Following the end of World War I, the extremist faction in the Indian national movement was on the rise.
• The existing law, the Defence of India Act, was about to expire, and the British needed stronger measures to contain what they called terrorist elements who threatened their rule.
• The Rowlatt Act, passed by the British colonial government, gave police the authority to arrest anyone for any reason.
• The Act's purpose was to quell the country's growing nationalist upsurge. Gandhi called on the people to engage in satyagraha in protest of the act.
• The Rowlatt Committee Act, named after its president, Sir Sidney Rowlatt, was passed on the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee and effectively authorised the colonial British government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism living in British India for up to two years, and gave the colonial authorities power to deal with all revolutionary activities.
• The unpopular legislation mandated stricter press control, warrantless arrests, indefinite detention without trial, and juryless in camera trials for prohibited political acts.
• The accused were denied the right to know who was accusing them and what evidence was used in the trial.
• Those convicted were required to deposit securities and were barred from participating in any political, educational, or religious activities after their release.
• On February 6, 1919, two bills were introduced in the Central Legislature based on the committee's report, which was chaired by Justice Rowlatt. These bills became known as "Black Bills."
• They gave the police enormous powers, including the ability to search a location and arrest anyone they disapproved of without a warrant.
• The Rowlatt Act was passed on March 18, 1919, despite widespread opposition.

Rowlatt Act - Features

• The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919 also known as the Rowlatt Act was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in March 1919.
• The British government was given the authority to arrest anyone suspected of terrorist activity under this act.
• It also authorized the government to detain such detainees for up to two years without charge or trial. It gave the police the authority to conduct a search without a warrant. It also severely hampered press freedom.
• The Rowlatt Committee, chaired by a judge named Sir Sidney Rowlatt, after whom the act is named, made recommendations that were followed.
• Indian leaders and the general public were outraged by the act. The bills were dubbed "black bills" as a result of their appearance.
• The act was passed despite the unanimous opposition of the council's Indian members, who all resigned in protest. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq were among them.
• Gandhiji called a nationwide hartal on April 6th in response to this act. The Rowlatt Satyagraha was the name given to this protest.
• Gandhiji cancelled the movement after it was marred by rioting in some provinces, particularly in Punjab, where the situation was dire.
• The primary goal of the British government was to suppress the country's growing nationalist movement.
• The British were also concerned about a Ghadarite revolution in Punjab and the rest of India.
• Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, both popular Congress leaders, were detained.
• When the act went into effect, there was widespread outrage, and the army was dispatched to Punjab to deal with the situation.

Rowlatt Act - Outcome

• The Rowlatt Act sparked the largest mass movement against British rule since the Revolt of 1857, and it served as the spark that ignited the movement for independence, which later spread throughout India and eventually led to independence.
• Gandhi was opposed to the Rowlatt Act and called for mass agitation and an all-India hartal, or strike, in which Indians closed their businesses and fasted to protest the British.
• People from all over the country signed a Satyagraha pledge to follow a nonviolent path. Gandhi's hartal began on April 6, 1919, and was widely supported by the masses.
• The strike was successful in Delhi, but rioting and violence erupted in Punjab and other parts of India, forcing Gandhi to call a halt to the movement. He was disappointed to see that Indians were not prepared for nonviolent protest, which was the core principle of Satyagraha.
• On 10 April 1919, two Congress leaders, Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew, were arrested and taken to an unknown location as part of a protest movement.
• People gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on 13 April 1919 to protest this incident, which turned into one of the most heinous tragedies under British rule—the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Rowlatt Act - Criticism

• Initially, Mahatma Gandhi was harshly critical of the Act, arguing that not everyone should be punished for isolated political crimes.
• The Act also enraged many other Indian leaders and the general public, prompting the government to take repressive measures.
• The Act empowered the government to imprison anyone suspected of terrorist activity for up to two years without a trial.
• It also allowed for indefinite preventive detention and arrest without a warrant. Other provisions included jury-free trials for prohibited political acts.
• Convicted individuals were required to deposit securities upon their release, as well as refrain from participating in any political, religious, or educational activities.
• The Rowlatt Act also severely restricted press freedom.
• The bill was opposed by all Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council. Regardless, the bill was passed.

Conclusion

The Rowlatt Act sparked the largest mass movement against British rule since the Revolt of 1857, and it served as the spark that ignited the movement for independence, which later spread throughout India and eventually led to independence. The Rowlatt Act was enacted to quell public unrest and thwart anti-British conspiracies. This act empowered the British government to imprison anyone suspected of terrorist activity without a trial for a minimum of two years. Gandhi's position as a leader of the nationalist movement was bolstered further by his actions in opposition to the Rowlatt Act. Gandhi organized a strike in which Indians would close their businesses as a form of protest.