Gandhi was much impressed by Jawharlal

Gandhi thus had the opportunity to know the Punjab and its people. The flocked to him. They loved him and respected him.

Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also there in the Punjab, realized that Gandhi was the leader of the masses. People were drawn to him because of his thoughts and deeds. Nehru saw the scientific accuracy with which Gandhi was conducting the enquiry.

Gandhi’s report of the atrocities showed that efforts were being made by the government to shield certain persons.

Gandhi was never interested in taking revenge on anybody but he was shocked at the way the government sat silent when its own report was published. Gandhi was very much moved by the sufferings of the people in the Punjab. He knew the extent of the atrocities committed on defenseless people.

Gandhi in Punjab

In the Punjab the situation was very critical, it was true that there were disturbances on the part of the people, but the measures adopted by the government to check the disturbances were too severe. The leaders were trying to keep the people peaceful, but the stern measures of repression taken by the authorities had few parallels in history.

In Amritsar the people were not allowed to move about freely. A proclamation was issued forbidding all gathering and meetings. Only a few had the chance to know about the proclamation, however, because it was not announced widely besides, it was made only in English. It was announced that a meeting was to be held in a garden called Jallianwala Bagh, to make a protest against the Government’s actions. General Dyer took no measures to prevent the meeting. However, he reached the place soon after the meeting began with armoured cars and troops.  Without giving any warning he ordered, “Fire till the ammunition is exhausted.”