Phrase Of Gandhi's Leadership In Indian Freedom Struggle: 1919-1930s?

econd Phrase of Gandhi’s Leadership in Indian Freedom Struggle: 1919 – 1930

Mahatma Gandhi and Rowlatt Act: During the World War I, the Defence of India rules were in operation which gave arbitrary powers to the Government. When the war came to the end in 1919, the british government again wanted to arm itself with such powers to suppress the revolutionary movement in the country. In 1919, a committee which was headed by Mr. Justice Rowlatt was appointed to investigate the revolutionary activities and to make recommendation for their efficient suppression. On the recommendation of the investigation committee, the Government passed the Rowlatt Bills which gave the power to the government to arrest any person without giving any reason, search any place without a warrant and imprison anyone without trial. The judges were empowered to try political cases without jury. The act in curtailed all the liberties of Indians in the name of curbing terrorist or anti- government activities. Mahatma Gandhi said, “They are striking demonstration of the civil services to retain its grip on our necks. It considers the bills to be an open

He was interested in Hindu-Muslim unity since his days in South-Africa. According to him, the lucknow pact didn’t form an adequate basis for unity. He had established contact with Ali Brothers and felt that their Khilafat demand was just to protect their religious belief. And he also protested against their arrest. The Versailles Treaty sharpened the enlargement of the movement by dismembering the Turkish Empire. He found the khilafat movement as an opportunity of uniting Hindus and Muslims. Gandhiji viewed it rather too simply as a unity of hearts. “If I deem the Mohamedan to be my brother, “he wrote in young India” it is my duty to help him in his hour of peril to the best of my ability, if his cause commands itself to me as