Question

Write a newspaper report on: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre

Answer 1

Jallianwala Bagh massacre

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place in Amritsar on 13th April (Baisakhi Day), under the orders of General Dyer.

• On 13th April in the enclosed ground of Jallianwala Bagh, a large crowd had gathered.
• Some people had come to attend the annual Baisakhi fair
• Some people came to protest against the government’s new repressive measures.
• As many villagers were from outside the city, they were unaware of the imposition of martial law.
• Dyer entered the area, the exit points were blocked, and he ordered police to open fire on the crowd. As a result of this indiscriminate firing, hundreds of innocent people were killed.
• Dyer declared later that his objective was to ‘produce a moral effect’, in the minds of satyagrahis a feeling of awe and terror.

Events Preceding – Jallianwala Bagh massacre

• To protest against the Rowlatt Act (1919), Satyagraha Sabhas were set up to launch the movement.
• To ensure a united fight against the British rule, the participants tried to ensure that Hindus and Muslims were united during the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
• Gandhiji requested Indian people to observe non-violent opposition to the Rowlatt Act, on 6th April 1919.
• It was asked to observe this day as a day of hartal (strike) and a day of “humiliation and prayer.”
• Shops closed down, workers went on strike in railway workshops, and rallies were organised in various cities.
• The British administration decided to clamp down on nationalists. They were scared that lines of communication such as the telegraph and railways would be disrupted.The British were alarmed by the popular upsurge.
• Mahatma Gandhi was barred from entering Delhi, and Local leaders were picked up from Amritsar.
• On 10th April, there were widespread attacks on railway stations, post offices, and banks due to the police firing upon a peaceful procession in Amritsar.
• General Dyer took command and imposed Martial Law.

Impact of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• Crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns, as the news of Jallianwalla Bagh spread.
• There were attacks on government buildings, clashes with the police, and strikes.
• Brutal repression was the response of the British Government. British sought to terrorise and humiliate people: villages were bombed, people were flogged, satyagrahis were forced to do salaam (salute) to all sahibs, they were forced to crawl on the streets, and rub their noses on the ground.
• Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood, to express the anger and pain of the country.
• Mahatma Gandhi called off the movement as he saw the spread of violence.