Which one of the following events was characterised by Montague as ‘Preventive Murder’?

1. Killing of INA activists
2. Massacre of Jallianwala Bagh
3. Shooting of the Mahatma
4. Shooting of Curzon-Wythe

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Edwin Samuel Montagu strongly criticised Reginald Dyer for the firing at Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919. By calling it “preventive murder,” he implied that the shooting was not required for dispersing the crowd or ensuring immediate safety, but was a deliberate and brutal act meant to terrorise people and deter future unrest.

Answer: (b) Massacre of Jallianwala Bagh