Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Causes, Events, Impact & Historical Significance

President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute on the  107th martyrdom day  to the freedom fighters who were martyred at Jallianwala Bagh on 13th April 1919.

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About Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• On April 13, 1919, a large peaceful gathering had formed at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on Baisakhi to protest against the Rowlatt Act. 
  • Reginald Dyer, a British officer stationed in Punjab, ordered as many as 50 troops in Amritsar to start shooting at civilians, including women and children.
• Toll on Human Lives: The atrocity claimed the lives of at least 379 individuals and left over 1,500 injured.
  • The tragedy sparked a nationalist movement that aimed to achieve independence and attracted significant international attention.
• Protest by Nationalist Leaders: Rabindranath Tagore surrendered his knighthood in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
  • Mahatma Gandhi relinquished the title of ‘Kaiser-iHind,’ bestowed by the British.
  • Started the non-cooperation movement after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Background of Massacre: Events

• Approval of the Rowlatt Act: In late 1918, the approval of the Rowlatt Act by the Imperial Legislative Council sparked a strong sense of anger across the nation. 
• Satyagraha Pledge: The satyagraha pledge was led by Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad on February 24, 1919 which promised to disobey specific regulations, to be determined by a ‘committee,’ until the proposed Rowlatt law was scrapped.
• Call for Nationwide Strike: On April 6, a call was made for a nationwide strike which saw unparalleled success.British Suppression and Deportation of Leaders: Gandhi attempted to travel to Amritsar, but the British government led him back to Bombay (now Mumbai). 
  • Two leaders of the Punjabi satyagraha were forcibly deported. There was an instant public outcry in Amritsar following the incident.
• Brutal Crackdown by General Dyer:  The province’s Lieutenant Governor, Sir Michael O’Dwyer surrendered the city to the army, led by Brigadier General Dyer. 
  • About 20,000 people had assembled at the site on April 13. General Dyer showed up with an armed contingent and gave his men the command to fire without any prior warning. 
• Hunter Commission: Lord William Hunter, former Solicitor-General of Scotland and Senator of the College of Justice in Scotland, presided over the investigative commission known as the Hunter Commission formed in 1919. 
  • The exchanges between the commission and Dyer are detailed in Nigel Collet’s 2006 book The Butcher of Amritsar: General Reginald Dyer.
• Impact:  According to many historians, this was a turning point in Indians’ relationship with their British colonists, and thus a pivotal moment in the course of India’s struggle for independence. 

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Lessons from Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• Importance Of Upholding Human Rights:  The massacre serves as a reminder of the need to uphold fundamental human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and the right to life. It is a tragic example of what can happen when those in power disregard these rights and use violence to suppress dissent.
• The Power Of Nonviolent Resistance: Many Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, advocated for non-violent resistance as a means of challenging British colonial rule, and this approach ultimately proved successful in achieving India’s independence.
• The Importance Of Historical Memory: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre remains a powerful symbol of the struggle for Indian independence and the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice. It is a reminder of the importance of remembering and learning from our history, so that we can work towards a better future.

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