Racial Bias in Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Compensation

• 11 May 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13^th April 1919, remains one of the darkest chapters in India's colonial history. New research sheds light on the grossly racialised
legal structure employed by the British government in compensating those affected by the tragedy.

What are the Key Highlights of the Research?

• Racial Bias in Compensation:
  • The British government's compensation favoured Europeans over Indians.
  • Europeans received payments valued at 600 times more than Indians.
    • The British government placed a significantly higher value on European claims, allocating over Rs. 523,000 in compensation to Europeans, with individual payments
      ranging from Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 30,000.
  • Discriminatory compensation reflects racial prejudice and lack of value for Indian lives.
• Legal Proceedings:
  • Punjab Disturbances Committee divided along racial lines, justifying violence by British officers.
    • The committee's European members justified the violent tactics used by British officers in Punjab, while the Indian members disagreed.
  • Indian legislators demanded equal compensation and faced resistance from British officials.
• Unfairness of Colonialism:
  • Research strengthens demands for a formal apology from the British government. Calls for decolonisation of historical wrongs and recognition of imperial legacies.

What is the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

• Prelude to the Massacre:
  • The Indian National Congress expected self-governance after World War I but faced resistance from the Imperial bureaucracy.
  • The Rowlatt Act, passed in 1919, authorised the government to arrest individuals associated with seditious activities without trial, leading to nationwide unrest.
  • Arrests of nationalist leaders Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal on 9th April 1919, sparked widespread protests in Punjab.
• The Massacre: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre unfolded amid heightened tensions caused by the oppressive Rowlatt Act and widespread protests in Punjab.
  • Fearing a rebellion similar to the 1857 revolt, the British administration responded with severe repression.
  • Brigadier-General Dyer's actions (troops opened fire indiscriminately, killing innocent people and injuring many) on 13th April 1919, escalated the situation,
    resulting in the massacre during a peaceful protest against the Rowlatt Act, 1919 resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent protestors.
    • Dyer, however, issued a proclamation on 13^th April (which was also Baisakhi), forbidding people from leaving the city without a pass and from organising
      demonstrations.
• Hunter Commission: The Hunter Commission, officially known as the "Punjab Disturbances Inquiry Committee," was appointed by the British government in response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
  • The commission's report criticised Dyer's decision to open fire on unarmed civilians and highlighted the disproportionate use of force.
  • The findings of the Hunter Commission contributed to the condemnation of Dyer's actions in India.
    • Before the Committee began its proceedings, the government had passed an Indemnity Act for the protection of its officers.
  • The commission's report led to Dyer's removal from his command and his subsequent retirement from the military.
• Aftermath and Significance: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre became a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence, catalysing Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22).
  • Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest against the incident.
  • In 1940, at Caxton Hall in London, Indian freedom fighter Udham Singh assassinated Michael O'Dwyer, who had approved of Dyer's actions.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation? (2009)

(a) It curtailed the freedom of religion

(b) It suppressed the Indian traditional education

(c) It authorized the government to imprison people without trial

(d) It curbed the trade union activities

Ans: (c)