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Introduction
On August 8, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement at the Maharashtra meeting of All India Congress Committee (AICC). The Bharat Chhodo Andolan, as it was often known, was a countrywide act of civil disobedience in India.During this situation, Mahatma Gandhi delivered a powerful address at the start of the campaign and used the slogan “Do or Die” in his speech. He urged the British to leave India promptly or face serious consequences. As part of this effort, a call for mass agitation was issued, which triggered violent clashes and the arrest of Indian National Congress leaders.“Quit India” was coined by Yusuf Maharelly, the then mayor of Mumbai. He also coined the slogan “Simon Go Back.”
Support for the Movement
The Quit India Movement gained support from leaders from all over the country. However, the Communist Party of India, the Hindu Mahasabha and the India Muslim league did not support the movement.The Communist Party did not support the mission because of the deep-rooted association of communism with the then Soviet Union and hence the inherent support towards World War II.The Hindu Mahasabha did not support the movement for fear of the nation’s safety and security during such a dire situation.The Muslim League did not support the movement, as it wished for the formation of a separate country before India got complete freedom.Some important leaders of the Quit India Movement were Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose, Biju Patnaik, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Usha Mehta, Sucheta Kriplani and Jai Prakash Narain.Subhash Chandra Bose formed the Indian National Army and fought for absolute freedom during this time. Subhash Chandra Bose contributed from outside the country.
What Triggered the Quit India Movement
Failure of the Cripps Mission, refusal of unconditional support by the Indian National Congress and nationwide enthusiasm for complete freedom were some factors that triggered this movement.Sir Stafford Cripps, who was a member of World War II, War Cabinet, tried to gather the contribution of Indian soldiers for the United Kingdom’s cause. Cripps came to India to get the approval of Indian leaders and to explain the reasoning for India’s joining the British in World War II.Cripps’s agenda was to meet with Indian leaders and gather support for the British government’s Draft Declaration. After the war, the declaration also conferred India Dominion Status. Congress refused to discuss any agreements unless complete freedom was on the table. From this point on, the demand for complete freedom gained popularity among the revolutionaries and the public. World War II, the spark of complete freedom and the struggling Indian economy culminated in the Quit India Movement.
Three phases of Quit India Movement
- Strikes and rallies were held around the country, and workers showed their solidarity by refusing to work in the factories. It was a phase marked by urban insurrection with strikes, bans and protests, all of which were soon put down. To suppress the movement, Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, and nearly all the movement’s leaders were arrested in this phase.
- In the second phase, the focus switched to the rural areas with significant revolts. This phase saw rampant destruction of communication systems such as railway tracks and stations, telegraph cables and poles and attacks on government buildings and other obvious symbols of the British administration.
- The third phase of the movement was marked by the formation of local government at different levels, depicting the people’s acceptance of authority figures.
Result of Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement brought about many drastic changes in India’s socio-political landscape. Some of these were:
- The emergence of new leaders. Aruna Asaf Ali became president of the Indian National Congress, as the majority of the leadership was in jail.
- Change in the political scenario. Organisations such as Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League gained popularity, as most of the prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress were behind bars. The prevailing political situation of violence, unrest and arrests enabled these other parties to gain prominence. Their criticism of Gandhi also helped further their cause.
- Even the political negotiation scenario between the Indian political leadership and the British changed significantly after the movement.
- The Indian National Congress and its associate organisations were declared unlawful associations.
- Besides prominent leaders of the movement, the public also courted arrests in large numbers. Close to one lakh people were imprisoned during the movement.
- The Quit India Movement ignited the desire for complete freedom among Indians. Furthermore, Britain’s changing power equation in world politics post World War II and the increased cost of managing India eventually led to the complete freedom of India on August 15, 1947.
Conclusion
Following WWII, Britain’s global stature had transformed considerably, and the clamour for independence could no longer be ignored. Above all, the Quit India Movement united the Indians against British rule. Although most protests had been put down by 1944, Gandhi continued to struggle and went on a 21-day fast upon his release. The Quit India Movement ignited the spark in the struggle for freedom and is regarded as one of the most crucial movements in India’s struggle for independence.
