UPSC Prelims 2015 Question:

With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the 'Sedition Committee'. 
2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League. 
3. Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Explanation:

Rowlatt Satyagraha: On 6 April 1919, the satyagraha arose in response to the British government's passage of the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, popularly known as the Rowlatt Act. Gandhiji called for a national anti-Rowlatt Act campaign.

• The Sedition Committee Report was prepared in 1919 by a committee presided over by Justice Rowlatt to enquire into the revolutionary activities in India. The recommendation of the committee was introduced as bills into the Indian Legislative Council to amend the provisions of the Criminal Law relating to public safety, eg., the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bills of 1919 which became Rowlatt Act after getting assent. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• The Home Rule for India League was founded by Annie Besant in 1916 and modeled on the Irish Home Rule League. It was dominated by Theosophists and Labourites. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League efficiently. Gandhi used the Home Rule Leagues of Besant and Tilak as his main tool for inciting opposition to the Rowlatt Act in the public. The League's radical members were actually eager to accept a plan of direct action against the British government. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  
• Indian Statutory Commission is commonly referred to as the Simon Commission after its chairman Sir John Allsebrook Simon. The Simon Commission was dispatched to India in 1928 to review the Government of India Act 1919. The Commission, appointed by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, did not include any Indian delegates. As a result, upon arrival in Bombay on 3 February 1928, the Commission was met by protests. Rowlatt Satyagraha happened way before Simon commission protests. So, statement 3 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | The Gandhian Phase