 The 1915 act was designed to expire in 1919, and the Rowlatt Committee was appointed to recommend measures to continue to suppress the revolutionary movement.The committee recommended an extension of the provisions of the Defence of India Act for a further three years with the removal of habeas corpus provisions.However this was met with universal opposition by the Indian members of the Viceroy's council, as well as the population in general, and Gandhi called the proposed act "The Black Bills".