What is the Rowlatt Act?

The basic facts about the act and its significance are given below:

• Officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919.
• Passed in March 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council.
• This act authorised the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities.
• It also authorised the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial.
• It empowered the police to search for a place without a warrant.
• It also placed severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.
• The act was passed as per recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee chaired by a judge, Sir Sidney Rowlatt, after whom the act is named.
• The act was widely condemned by Indian leaders and the public. The bills came to be known as ‘black bills’.
• The act was passed despite unanimous opposition from the Indian members of the council, all of whom resigned in protest. These included Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malviya and Mazhar Ul Haq.
• In response to this act, a nationwide hartal was called by Gandhiji on 6th April. This was called the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
• The movement was cancelled by Gandhiji when it was marred by rioting in some provinces, particularly in Punjab where the situation was grim.
• The British government’s primary intention was to repress the growing nationalist movement in the country.
• The British were also afraid of a Ghadarite revolution in Punjab and the rest of the country.
• Two popular Congress leaders Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested.
• The protest was very intense when the act came into effect and the army was called in Punjab to tackle the situation.