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On August 8, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement during the Maharashtra meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). The Bharat Chhodo Andolan movement was a widespread civil disobedience campaign across India. Gandhi delivered a stirring address at the onset of the movement, employing the slogan “Do or Die” to emphasise the urgency of India’s struggle for independence.
He called upon the British to depart from India promptly or face severe consequences. The movement prompted mass agitation, leading to violent clashes and the subsequent arrest of leaders from the Indian National Congress. The phrase “Quit India” was coined by Yusuf Maharelly, the mayor of Mumbai at that time, who also popularised the slogan “Simon Go Back.”
Introduction of Quit India Movement
India had been under British rule for a considerable period, and the desire for freedom and independence from Britain was strong among Indians. In response to this yearning, Gandhi initiated the Quit India movement in 1942, demanding that the British “Quit India” and grant Indians their independence.
The Quit India movement witnessed the participation of millions of Indians who engaged in strikes, boycotted work and schools, and protested vehemently against British rule. The British authorities responded by arresting Gandhi and numerous other leaders of the movement.
Despite the arrests, the Quit India movement rapidly gained momentum, spreading across various regions of India. Protests, strikes, and violence erupted throughout the country, demonstrating the widespread discontent with British rule.
The resilience and determination displayed during the Quit India movement sent a clear message to the British authorities that Indians were unwavering in their pursuit of freedom. The movement exerted significant pressure on the British government and played a crucial role in India eventually achieving independence in 1947. The Quit India movement is a pivotal chapter in India’s struggle for freedom, remembered for its profound impact on history.
Quit India Movement Reason
The onset of theWorld War II in 1939 saw Japan, aligned with the Axis Powers, encroaching upon India’s northeastern frontiers, which heightened Indian concerns regarding British defences. The British withdrawal from territories in Southeast Asia left the local populace feeling abandoned, eroding trust in the British capacity to protect India from Axis aggression.
Gandhi shared the belief that British departure from India would diminish Japan’s motivation to invade. Additionally, reports of British setbacks in the war and wartime hardships, such as soaring prices of essential goods, fueled discontent towards the British administration.
The failure of the Cripps Mission to offer any concrete constitutional solutions to India’s issues further fueled the Indian National Congress (INC) decision to initiate a large-scale civil disobedience movement.
Relation with Cripps Mission
The Quit India Movement and the Cripps Mission were two significant events in India’s struggle for independence during World War II. The Cripps Mission, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, was sent to India by the British government in 1942 to negotiate India’s cooperation in the war effort in exchange for post-war independence.
However, the Cripps Mission failed to satisfy Indian aspirations for immediate and complete independence. Its proposal for dominion status after the war, with the option for provinces to opt out of the proposed Indian Union, was rejected by Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
The failure of the Cripps Mission to provide a clear path to independence further fueled the discontent among Indians, leading to the launch of the Quit India Movement by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942. This movement called for immediate independence and mass civil disobedience against British rule.
Response to Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement brought about significant transformations in India’s socio-political landscape, including:
Emergence of new leadership. With many prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress incarcerated, figures like Aruna Asaf Ali assumed leadership roles within the party.
Shift in political dynamics: Organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, Hindu Mahasabha, and Muslim League gained traction amid the turmoil, capitalising on the absence of Congress leaders and criticising Gandhi’s methods to advance their agendas.
Alteration in negotiation dynamics: The Quit India Movement reshaped the dynamics of political negotiations between Indian leaders and the British authorities.
Declaring Congress and its affiliates as unlawful associations: The British government outlawed the Indian National Congress and its associated organisations.
Mass arrests: Besides prominent leaders, a large number of ordinary citizens were also detained during the movement, with nearly one lakh individuals imprisoned.
Ignition of desire for complete freedom: The movement stirred a genuine desire for total independence among Indians, coupled with shifts in Britain’s global power dynamics post-World War II and the escalating cost of maintaining control over India, ultimately led to India’s complete independence on August 15, 1947.
Opposition to Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement, also known as the “Bharat Chodo Andolan”, was a mass movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942. The movement aimed to end British rule in India, also known as British Raj.
Some parties opposed the movement, including
- The Muslim League, which opposed the British leaving India without partitioning the country first.
- The Communist Party of India: Opposed the movement and supported the British war effort after the Soviet Union was attacked.
- The Hindu Mahasabha Expressed concern that the movement would create internal disorder and endanger internal security during the war.
- The RSS: Opposed the movement.
- Rulers of the Princely states: Opposed the movement.
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar also criticised the movement and asked Hindus to stay active in the war effort and not disobey the government.
Phases of the Quit India Movement
Phase 1: Strikes and rallies were held nationwide, with workers showing solidarity by refusing to work in factories. Urban insurrection ensued, marked by strikes, bans, and protests, all promptly quelled. Gandhi and most movement leaders were arrested and imprisoned at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune.
Phase 2: In the second phase, the focus shifted to rural areas, witnessing significant revolts. This phase was characterised by the widespread destruction of communication systems such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph cables, and poles, as well as attacks on government buildings and other symbols of British administration.
Phase 3: The movement’s third phase saw local governments forming at different levels, reflecting the people’s acceptance of authority figures.
Effect of the Quit India Movement
- Emergence of new leadership: The movement led to new leaders within the Indian National Congress and other political organisations due to the incarceration of prominent leaders.
- Shift in the political landscape: Organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hindu Mahasabha, and Muslim League gained prominence during the movement, altering the political dynamics in India.
- Change in negotiation dynamics: The Quit India Movement reshaped the negotiation dynamics between Indian political leaders and the British authorities.
- Declaration of unlawful associations: The Indian National Congress and its affiliated organisations were declared unlawful by the British government.
- Mass arrests: Besides leaders, many ordinary citizens were arrested during the movement, demonstrating widespread public participation.
- Ignition of desire for complete independence: The movement ignited a genuine desire for complete freedom among Indians, contributing to India’s eventual independence on August 15, 1947.
FAQ on Quit India Movement
Why did Mahatma Gandhi initiate the Quit India Movement?
Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement in response to the failure of the Cripps Mission in 1942, which aimed to secure Indian support for the British war an effort in exchange for future independence. Gandhi and other Indian leaders made disillusioned by the British government's refusal to grant immediate independence and the lack of a concrete plan for India's future.
What were the goals of the Quit India Movement?
The primary goal of the Quit India Movement was to demand the immediate departure of the British from India and to achieve complete independence for the country. It aimed to mobilise the Indian masses in a nationwide civil disobedience campaign against British rule.
What were the main strategies employed during the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement relied on strategies such as mass protests, strikes, boycotts, and non-cooperation with British authorities. Indians from all walks of life participated, including students, workers, peasants, and political activists.
What was the Quit India Movement in 1920?
The Quit India Movement was actually launched in 1942, not 1920. It was a significant campaign in the Indian independence struggle, aimed at ending British rule in India. The movement called for an orderly British withdrawal and was led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. People across India participated in protests and acts of civil disobedience to demand independence.
Who joined the Quit India Movement?
The Quit India Movement saw widespread participation from various sections of Indian society. People from different backgrounds, including students, workers, and farmers, joined the movement. Prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played key roles. Even women and youth actively participated, making it a mass movement across the country.
