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 code given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Rowlatt Act (1919) was based on the report of the Sedition Committee chaired by Justice Sidney Rowlatt (statement 1).
• Gandhi, having no organisation of his own yet, used the Home Rule Leagues and his Satyagraha Sabha to mobilise the Rowlatt Satyagraha of April 1919 (statement 2).
• Statement 3 is wrong: the Simon Commission came in 1928, nine years later.
• The satyagraha ended with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Gandhi's 'Himalayan blunder' admission.
• Hence 1 and 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: Gandhi used the Home Rule League.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: Simon Commission was in 1928.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 3 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.