In Delhi the strike took place on 30th March instead of 6th April due to some mix up. The authorities had called in Army to deal with the situation. Arya Samaj leader Shradhananda called a public meeting near Jama Masjid and he was to speak from the Masjid to show Hindu-Muslim solidarity against the Rawlett Act. Thousands gathered there and police opened fire. Nine innocents were killed. Swami Shradhananda continued to speak. The incident triggered off violence in several cities.
Mahatma Gandhi appealed—‘Stay away from violence. The path of violence is wrong. We shall win freedom through non-violence and peaceful means.’
Jallianwala Bagh Massarce
On 10th April, 1919 police arrested two Congress leaders of Punjab namely Dr. Satpal and Dr. Kichlew in Amritsar. It angered people. In one skirmish half a dozen English officers were injured.
General O’ Dyer thundered, “I will teach a lesson to Punjab people.” And he did.
It was 13th April, 1919. In Amritsar thousands of people had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate Baisakhi day traditionally as every year. There were men, women, old and children enjoying the fair.
Suddenly General O’ Dyer arrived their with hundred of soldiers. Bagh was an enclosed place with high walls all around and only one narrow exit. Soldiers blocked the exit with a machine gun. The crowd was fired upon at the orders of O’Dayer Hundreds died, were maimed or injured. The world was shocked at this massacre.
Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore returned the title of ‘Sir’ in protest on 30th May, 1919.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted to visit Punjab to see the situation for himself. The administration banned his entry into Punjab. He could only visit the state in October.
Khilafat movement
The British were not ruling only India tyrannically but Turkey as well. The people of that country were suffering the same kind of barbarism as the Indians.
Against British atrocities in Turkey Indians too raised voice and started ‘Khilafat’ movement. As Turkey was a Muslim country the Muslims of India were in the forefront of the movement. Mahatma Gandhi added his weight to it with his all out support. He was against injustice and didn’t see things on communal lines. In India too he was leader of all Indians irrespective of religions.