UPSC Prelims 2012·GS1·history·modern history

The Rowlatt Act aimed at

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  1. Acompulsory economic support to war efforts
  2. Bimprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trialCorrect
  3. Csuppression of the Khilafat Movement
  4. Dimposition of restrictions on freedom of the press

Explanation

The Rowlatt Act, officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council. It was based on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee chaired by Justice S.A.T. Rowlatt. The primary objective of the act was to curb the growing nationalist upsurge and revolutionary activities in India. It authorized the British government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism for up to two years without any trial. It also allowed for summary procedures where the accused were denied the right to know their accusers or the evidence against them. This led to the famous description of the law by Indians as No Dalil, No Vakil, No Appeal, meaning no argument, no lawyer, and no appeal. Mahatma Gandhi organized the Rowlatt Satyagraha in response to this act, which he called a Black Act. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
history: The Rowlatt Act aimed at

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