Question

Write a note about Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy.

Answer 1

Hint: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was a heinous oppression by the British troops on the people of India. 98 years have passed since this day, but no sincere apology has been offered.

Complete answer:
The passing of the Rowlatt Act on March 10, 1919 which permitted the police forces of the government to arrest anyone without trial. Gandhi wrote an article against the act and it was decided by the government to arrest Gandhi if he wanted to start any satyagraha. There were orders to not let Gandhi enter Punjab.

A large crowd had gathered at the enclosed ground of Jallianwalah Bagh on 13th April 1919. People had either gone there to attend the Baisakhi fair or to protest against the British policies in India. General Dyer, the acting Brigadier- General blocked all the exits and ordered open fire on unarmed civilians, killing 379 people and injuring around 12,00. People could not escape since the exits were blocked. According to Dyer, his aim was to teach the satyagrahis a lesson. This led to a nationwide protest in India. After two days of the massacre the Martial Law was established in all these districts: Lahore, Gujarat, Gujranwala and Lyallpore. The law empowered the Viceroy to direct anyone involved with revolutionary activities to direct a trial under a court martial.

Note: Due to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood. General Dyer was appreciated by many in Great Britain. He received vehement criticisms from many newspapers but he gave his account without any hint of shame. Mahatma Gandhi also renounced his Kaiser-i-Hind medal in protest against this heinous incident.