Which Act opposed by Mahatma Gandhi in 1919 was a direct attack on the civil liberties and democratic rights of the Indian people?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Rowlatt Act.
· The Rowlatt Act of 1919, officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, was passed by the British government in India to curb the growing nationalist movement.
· It gave the government sweeping powers to arrest and detain individuals without trial and suppress political activities deemed seditious.
· The act was seen as a severe infringement on civil liberties, including freedom of expression and assembly, which led to widespread discontent among Indians.
· Mahatma Gandhi led a strong opposition to the Rowlatt Act, organizing mass protests and initiating a nationwide non-violent campaign known as the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Additional Information:
· Rowlatt Satyagraha: This was the first large-scale, nonviolent protest led by Mahatma Gandhi in India, which included public demonstrations, hartals (strikes), and refusal to cooperate with the British authorities.
· Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The opposition to the Rowlatt Act indirectly led to the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919, where British troops opened fire on unarmed civilians gathered for a peaceful protest in Amritsar, killing hundreds.
Other Options:
· Criminal Tribes Act: Enacted in the 19th century, this act categorized certain tribes as "criminal" and was highly discriminatory, but it was not directly related to Gandhi's opposition in 1919.
· Defence of India Act: This was enacted during World War I in 1915 to give the British government special powers to suppress anti-war and nationalist activities but was not the act Gandhi opposed in 1919.
· Pitt’s India Act: This act of 1784 established the dual control of British India by the British government and the East India Company. It was not related to civil liberties in the way the Rowlatt Act was.