History & Civics
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
Being conscientiously of opinion that the Bills known as the Indian Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill No. I of 1919 and the Criminal Law (Emergency Powers) Bill No. II of 1919 are unjust, subversive of the principles of liberty and justice, and destructive of the elementary right of individuals on which the safety of the community, as a whole, and the State itself is based, we solemnly affirm that in the event of these Bills becoming law and until they are withdrawn, we shall refuse civility to obey these laws and such other laws as a Committee to be hereafter appointed may think fit, and we further affirm that in this struggle we will faithfully follow truth and refrain from violence to life, person or property.
—The Bombay Chronicle, March 4, 1920
(a) What name was given to the two Indian Criminal Law Bills mentioned in the excerpt above? Why have they been described as unjust?
(b) Which movement was started in 1920 after these bills were passed in the Central Legislature? State any two objectives of this movement.
Mahatma Gandhi
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Answer
(a) The two Indian Criminal Law Bills mentioned in the excerpt above were collectively known as the Rowlatt Act.
The Rowlatt Act has been described as unjust because it authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and convict him in a court. It implied:
- Arrest of a person without warrant.
- In camera trial (trial in seclusion).
- Restrictions on movements of individuals.
- Suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus.
(b) Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920 after Rowlatt Act was passed in the Central Legislature.
Two objectives of this movement are as follows:
- To attain self government within the British Empire if possible and outside if necessary.
- Annulment of the Rowlatt Act and remedying the 'Punjab wrong', i.e., the British Government should express its regret on the happenings in Punjab, particularly in Amritsar.
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Related Questions
The Simon Commission was appointed in November 1927 by the British Government. Subsequently the Civil Disobedience Movement began. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) Why was the Simon Commission appointed by the British Government? Why did the Congress boycott the Commission?
(b) The Civil Disobedience Movement was launched by Gandhiji with his famous Dandi March. Mention the significance of this historic event.
(c) Why did Gandhiji suspend Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931 and later in 1934 call it off?
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
“General Dyer’s action at Jallianwala Bagh appears to have been entirely indefensible. He acted after open disorder had ceased in the city for two days; he gave no warning on the spot, but began firing within 30 seconds (of arriving); and he was responsible for grave and unnecessary slaughter. His plea is that he wanted to produce sufficient moral effect throughout the Punjab. Such was not his duty and the effect he has really produced is to create, not only in the Punjab, but throughout India, a bitterness that will take years to eradicate.”
— Lovat Fraser (1871-1926) British journalist(a) The action of General Dyer mentioned in this article led to the launch of which movement? State briefly the other causes of the movement.
(b) What was the impact of this movement on the Indian National Movement?
(c) What led to the withdrawal of this movement? What was Gandhiji’s view about the withdrawal?
Study the picture given here and answer the following questions:
(a) What was symbolised by the Charkha and Khadi in the National Movement?
(b) What is meant by Swadeshi? Why did Gandhiji lay emphasis on Swadeshi?
(c) State how was the concept of Swadeshi promoted during the Non-Cooperation Movement?
In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi's demands were rejected by the British, as a result of which he launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. In this context, explain the following:
(a) Name the famous march undertaken by Gandhiji. Where did he begin this march? State two of its features.
(b) How was this Movement different from the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(c) Explain briefly how did Mahatma Gandhi try to promote Hindu-Muslim unity from the Rowlatt Satyagraha to the Third Round Table conference.