The Rowlatt Act of 1919 gave unbridled powers to the government to arrest and imprison suspects, without trial.
It was firmly opposed by all sections of the Indian society, as well as by the Indian National Congress.
Gandhiji decided to fight against this act and he gave a call for Satyagraha on April 6, 1919. He was arrested on April 8, 1919 which led to further intensification of the agitation in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Punjab.