Rowlatt Satyagraha ,Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy, Nehru Report : The Freedom Struggle | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Rowlatt Satyagraha and Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy

Rowlatt Act

•  Passed in March 1919 for a duration of three years. 
•  Gave executive officers the power to make arbitrary arrests. 
•  Allowed for the trial of revolutionary offenses by a special court. 
•  The special court was to meet in camera, disregarding the Indian Evidence Act. 
•  No appeals against the court's decision were permissible. 
•  Provincial governments were authorized to demand security from suspected persons, search their premises, and arrest them without warrants. 

Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy

• Lt. Governor O'Dwyer ruled with an oppressive administration in Punjab during World War I. 
•  Protests erupted across Punjab against the Rowlatt Act on 6 April 1919. 
• Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew, leaders in Amritsar, were deported on 9 April. 
•  Firing on the public outside Hall Gate in Amritsar occurred on 10 April. 
• Brigadier Dyer was appointed Military Administrator of Amritsar on 11 April 1919. 
•  Public meetings and processions were prohibited by Dyer on 12 April. 
•  On 13 April, Dyer's men opened fire on a peaceful assembly at Jallianwala Bagh, resulting in the deaths of 379 people and wounding 1200 others on the day of Baisakhi. 
•  Martial law was imposed in Punjab on 15 April 1919. 

Nehru Report and Jinnah's Fourteen Points

Nehru Report (1928)

• Background: In response to a challenge by the Conservative Secretary of State for India, Birkenhead, Indian leaders were prompted to draft a constitution. 
• Formation of the Committee: At the Madras Congress in 1927, a committee led by Motilal Nehru was formed to create a constitution for India. 
• Approval: The Nehru Report was approved by the All-Parties Conference in August 1928 in Lucknow. 

Main Points of the Nehru Report:

•  India to remain within the Empire but with a status similar to the Dominions. 
•  Establishment of a responsible government. 
•  Guarantee of fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and association. 
•  House of the People to consist of 500 members elected through adult franchise. 
•  Upper House (Senate) to have 200 members chosen by Provincial Assemblies or Councils. 
•  Limited acceptance of separate electorates. 
•  Other features included adult franchise, joint electorates with limited reservations, legislative responsibility of the executive, and provincial autonomy. 

Jinnah’s Fourteen Points (1929)

• Background: The Muslim League opposed the Nehru Report. Jinnah articulated the League's demands in response to the Report. 
• Key Demands: Jinnah’s demands included: 
•  One-third representation for Muslims in the Central Legislature. 
•  Muslim representation in Punjab and Bengal legislatures based on population for ten years if adult suffrage was not granted. 
•  Residuary powers to be vested in the Provinces, not the Centre. 

Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)

Introduction: The Cabinet Mission Plan was a significant proposal aimed at resolving the Indian political situation and facilitating the transfer of power from British rule to Indian hands. 

Factors Leading to the Cabinet Mission Plan:

•  Change in British Government: The Labour Government under Attlee replaced Churchill's Conservative Government in July 1945. 
•  Announcement by Wavell: On September 19, 1945, Wavell announced the Labour Government's decision to introduce early responsible government in India. 
•  International Pressures: There were increasing international pressures on Britain for the early grant of independence to India. 
•  Naval Mutiny of February 1946: This event highlighted the difficulties faced by British administrators in India and reflected the national spirit permeating all wings of the armed forces and police. 
•  Depletion of British Resources: The depletion of Britain's civil and military resources in India after World War II added urgency to the transfer of power. 
•  Indian Elections of 1945-46: These elections revealed that the Muslim League dominated Muslim opinion, similar to how the Congress dominated Hindu opinion. 
•  British Parliamentary Delegation: A delegation recommended to the Labour Government that Indian freedom could not be delayed. 
•  Attlee's Explanation: On March 15, 1946, Attlee explained British policy towards India, emphasizing the rights and apprehensions of Indian minorities and the decision to send a Cabinet Mission to India. 

Recommendations of the Cabinet Mission:

• Rejection of Pakistan: The demand for Pakistan was rejected due to the problem of communal minorities and the unitary nature of British India. 
• Union of India:. union of British India and Indian States was recommended to deal with Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Communications. 
• Constitution and Powers: The Indian Union was to have an Executive and a Legislature, with provisions for communal issues. Indian States were to retain subjects and powers not ceded to the Centre, with residuary powers vested in provinces. 
• Constituent Assembly: Provincial Legislative Assemblies were to elect representatives for a Constituent Assembly, which would conclude a treaty with Britain, and British Paramountcy over States would lapse. 
• Interim Government: Proposal for an interim national government in India. 

Merits of the Cabinet Mission Scheme:

•  Democratic Basis: The Constituent Assembly was to be formed on a democratic basis of population. 
•  Simple Majority: Communal issues were to be decided by a simple majority. 
•  Rejection of Partition: The demand for partition was rejected. 
•  Exclusion of British Government: The British Government and non-official Europeans were denied representation in the Constituent Assembly. 
•  Wide Powers: The Constituent Assembly was given wide powers to frame a constitution for free India. 

Demerits:

•  Sikh Interest: The interest of the Sikh minority was ignored. 
•  Separatist Tendencies: The formation of separate groups could trigger separatist tendencies. 
•  Sub-Constitution Provision: The provision for separate sub-constitutions for provinces and groups encouraged those wanting Pakistan. 

Rejection by Muslim League: The Muslim League rejected the Cabinet Mission Plan and the Constituent Assembly Plan on July 29, 1946. 

Congress Acceptance of Pakistan

 On June 3, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru expressed the Congress Party's reluctant acceptance of the partition proposal, acknowledging the painfulness of the decision but believing it to be necessary. 

The Indian Independence Act, 1947

 The Indian Independence Act, 1947, was a crucial piece of legislation that provided the legal framework for the partition of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan. Here are the key provisions and significance of the Act: 

 Provisions of the Act 

• Division of British Indian Territories: The Act stipulated the division of British Indian territories into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan, effective from August 15, 1947. 
• Territories Included: Pakistan was to include Sind, British Baluchistan, the North-West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P.), West Punjab, and East Bengal. The boundaries of West Punjab and East Bengal were to be settled by a Boundary Commission. Free India was to include the remaining provinces of British India. 
• Withdrawal of British Paramountcy: The Act ended British Paramountcy over Indian States, granting them the freedom to join either India or Pakistan. 
• Governance: Each dominion was to have a Governor-General, and their legislatures were free to enact laws for their respective countries. The Constituent Assembly of each dominion could function as its legislature. 
• Continuity of Government: The Government of India Act, 1935, would continue to operate in each dominion unless altered or omitted. The Governor-General of each dominion was responsible for the effective operation of the Indian Independence Act. 
• Safeguards: Provisions were made to safeguard the interests of former Indian Civil Service officers, and the division of armed forces between India and Pakistan was outlined. Functions of the Secretary of State and the Auditor of Indian Home Accounts were also addressed. 

 Significance of the Indian Independence Act 

• End of British Sovereignty: The Act marked the end of British sovereignty over India, with the Crown ceasing to be the source of authority in the subcontinent. 
• Constitutional Transition: Governors-General and Governors were to act as constitutional heads, signifying a transition from colonial rule. 
• End of Colonial Era: The Act signified the end of the colonial era in the Indian subcontinent, paving the way for self-governance and independence.