 As a result, his actions are considered one of the most significant factors in the rise of the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.On 21 April 1919, in Dyer's defence, O'Dwyer stated to Viceroy Chelmsford "the Amritsar business cleared the air, and if there was to be holocaust anywhere, and one regrets that there should be, it was best at Amritsar".One theory surrounding the Massacre, as described by Pearay Mohan and historian Raja Ram, is one of a "premeditated plan" conspired by O'Dwyer and others, including a young Punjabi youth Hans Raj.