With a view to suppress the mounting discontent among the people of India, the Brit government enacted the Rowlatt Act in 1919.
→ The Act provided unlimited power to the government to arrest any person under the pretext of threat to peace, security, law and order and detain the person indefinitely without trial
→ Restrictions were imposed on freedom of speech and assembly.
→ Due to its draconian provisions, Gandhij had condemned the Rowlatt Act as the 'Black Act'.
→ Pandit Motilal Nehru described it as 'snatching away of arguments, appeal and advocacy'.
→ Gandhiji appealed to the people of India observe a day's 'Hartal' to protest against Rowlatt Act.
→ There was overwhelming support to Gandhi's appeal. Many processions were taken out an public meetings were organised to condemn Act.
→ Gandhiji was prohibited from entering Punjab Dr Satyapal and Dr Saifuddin Kitchlu were arrested. In protest of this arbitary action a public meeting was organised at Jallianwa Bagh in Amritsar on 13th April, 1919 leading to the infamous 'Jallianwala Bagh' Massacre.