bBackground:
The Hunter Commission was appointed by the Viceroy of India to probe the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy that took place on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab.
b Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy:
- The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a brutal incident where British troops under the command of General Reginald Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed civilians who had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh to protest against the arrest of two national leaders.
- The troops fired indiscriminately at the crowd for about 10-15 minutes, resulting in the death of hundreds of people and injuring many more.
b Appointment of Hunter Commission:
- In the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, there was widespread outrage and condemnation of the British government's actions.
- To investigate the incident and assess the responsibility of those involved, the Viceroy appointed the Hunter Commission, led by British judge Sir William Hunter.
b Findings of the Commission:
- The Hunter Commission conducted a detailed inquiry into the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy and gathered evidence from various witnesses.
- The Commission's report criticized General Dyer for his actions and held him responsible for the excessive and indiscriminate use of force that led to the loss of innocent lives.
- The findings of the Commission further fueled public anger and added to the growing resentment against British rule in India.
b Impact:
- The Hunter Commission's report and its findings played a significant role in shaping the course of the Indian independence movement.
- The Jallianwala Bagh massacre became a symbol of British oppression and fueled the demand for self-rule in India.
- The incident and the subsequent investigations served to galvanize the Indian freedom struggle and strengthen the resolve of nationalists to fight for independence from colonial rule.