Q. The Rowlatt act aimed at
(a) compulsory economic support to war efforts
(b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
(c) suppression of the Khilafat movement
(d) imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press
Ans: (b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
Explanation:
The correct answer is (b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial.
The Rowlatt Act, also known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, aimed at granting the British colonial government in India extensive powers to suppress political activities and curb the nationalist movement. The act authorized the government to arrest and imprison individuals without trial for an indefinite period, allowing detention without due process of law. It also established special tribunals to conduct speedy trials for political offenses, without the right to legal defense or appeal.
The Rowlatt Act was highly controversial and faced strong opposition from Indian nationalists. It was seen as a repressive measure that violated civil liberties and fundamental rights. The act led to widespread protests and demonstrations, culminating in the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. The Rowlatt Act played a significant role in intensifying the Indian freedom struggle and furthering demands for self-governance.