Which one of the following events, was characterised by Montague as 'Preventive Murder'?

Correct Option

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. During this event, General Dyer ordered his troops to fire upon a peaceful gathering of unarmed civilians, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Edwin Montagu, who served as the Secretary of State for India from 1917 to 1922, strongly condemned General Dyer's actions. He described the massacre as 'Preventive Murder' in the British Parliament, highlighting the extreme brutality and unjustified nature of the act. The incident was a direct consequence of protests against the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919.

Incorrect Options

• The trials involving Indian National Army (INA) personnel took place primarily in 1945-1946. This period is significantly after Edwin Montagu's tenure as Secretary of State for India (1917-1922), making it unrelated to his statements.
• Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in 1948. This event occurred long after Montagu's period in office and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• Sir Curzon-Wyllie was assassinated by Madan Lal Dhingra in London in 1909. This incident predates both the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919) and Montagu's term as Secretary of State for India.