Jallianwala Bagh, Chauri Chaura and Gandhi’s Changing Political Approach
The documented record from 1919 to 1922 shows Gandhi responding to different forms of violence and political crisis at different stages of his career. Jallianwala Bagh and Chauri Chaura were separate events with different circumstances, but placing them in chronological context highlights a notable difference in the political decisions that followed.
On 13 April 1919, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered
troops to fire on a gathering at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. The firing
lasted approximately ten minutes, with about 1,650 rounds fired. The official
death figure was 379. Indian enumerations recorded higher numbers, including
490 documented names.
Gandhi was in Bombay when the incident occurred. His early
response was measured. His autobiography and Young India record a distinction
between responsibility for the governing system and responsibility for
individual actions. He did not present the entire British population as
collectively responsible.
Gandhi also supported investigation into the Punjab
disturbances. He cooperated with the Congress inquiry and its report and
described the events as “frightful.” His involvement in the inquiry placed the
Punjab events within a wider process of political accountability.
The Hunter Commission was appointed in October 1919. Its
report censured Dyer for “an error of judgment.” The finding did not result in
criminal prosecution. Dyer was not prosecuted for the killings and continued to
receive a pension.
The Rowlatt Satyagraha provides another significant part of
the same year’s chronology. Gandhi suspended the campaign on 18 April 1919. His
stated reason focused on crowd violence before 13 April, including disturbances
in Nadiad and Ahmedabad. The broader independence movement continued after
Jallianwala Bagh.
During 1920, Gandhi’s political relationship with the
British constitutional framework changed. The Hunter Commission outcome and the
British public and political response to Dyer contributed to this change. On 2
August, Gandhi returned three decorations: the Kaiser-i-Hind, Boer War, and
Zulu War medals.
The Khilafat question was a primary stated reason for
returning the decorations. The Punjab wrongs, including the O’Dwyer
administration and the British response to Dyer, also reinforced the break with
the existing constitutional relationship.
The Non-Cooperation Movement was inaugurated on 1 August
1920 and formally adopted at the Calcutta special session in September.
Gandhi’s strategy had moved toward organised non-cooperation with the
administrative system.
On 4 February 1922, Chauri Chaura created a different
situation. Police fired on a crowd, after which the crowd retaliated and 22
policemen were killed. Gandhi suspended the entire Non-Cooperation Movement
within eight days.
The resulting contrast is part of the documented historical
record: 379 officially recorded civilian deaths at Jallianwala Bagh were
followed by continuation of the broader movement, while 22 police deaths at
Chauri Chaura were followed by suspension of the national movement.
This comparison should be considered carefully. The two
incidents differed in circumstances, participants, forms of violence, and
political setting. Gandhi’s own political position had also changed
substantially between 1919 and 1922.
Rather than requiring a predetermined conclusion, the
chronology allows readers to examine Gandhi’s statements, actions, stated
reasons, and political decisions together. It also places his response to Dyer
within the larger transition from inquiry and constitutional engagement toward
Non-Cooperation.
For the complete historical analysis and documented evidence, visit
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गांधी की डायर प्रतिक्रिया:
जलियांवाला बाग, चौराचौरा और राजनीतिक असमानता
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