mahatma gandhi decided to launch a nationwide, non-violent civil disobedience against the unjust rowlatt act. it began with a hartal on 6 april 1919. rallies were organised in various cities, workers went on strike in railways workshops and shops closed down. alarmed by the popular upsurge and scared that lines of communication such as railways and telegraph would be disrupted. the british administration decided to clamp down on nationalism. local leaders were picked up from amritsar and mahatma gandhi was barred from entering delhi. on 10 april, 1919 the police in amritsar fired upon a peaceful procession, provoking a widespread attack on banks, post offices and railway stations.