Quit India Movement Day, Everything You Need to Know

Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement also known as the India August Movement or Bharat Chodo Andolan was a major event in India’s struggle for independence. It began on August 8, 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi gave a powerful call for the British to leave India immediately. This movement, also known as the August Kranti, played a key role in speeding up India’s path to freedom. Let’s look at how it started and what happened during this historic event.</

Why Did the Quit India Movement Start?

By 1942, World War II was going on, and the Britishers wanted India’s help in the war. To gain support, they sent the Cripps Mission to India, offering some political power to Indians in exchange for war support. However, the Indian leaders, especially the Congress Party, demanded complete control right away, which the British refused. The failure of these talks led to frustration among the Indian people, who were already struggling with shortages of goods and rising prices during the war.

Quit India Movement Day: The Call For ‘Do or Die’ 

Mahatma Gandhi saw how upset people were and decided to take strong action. On 8th August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi delivered his speech to the nation marking the beginning of the Quit India Movement in Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan also known as August Kranti Maidan. The maidan also has a monument as a tribute to the historical event. Mahatma Gandhi called people to ‘Do or Die’ for the nation in his speech. It meant that we shall either free India from the Britishers or die while protecting the nation as we shall not witness the British slavery any further. This message quickly spread across the country and inspired millions to join the movement. On August 9, 1942, the movement began, since then, 8th August is celebrated as August Kranti Day/Diwas every year.

Instructions Given by Gandhi

Gandhi provided specific guidelines for different sections of society during the movement
Government Workers: Stay in their jobs but show support for Congress.
Soldiers: Refuse to harm or fire on fellow Indians.
Students: Leave school only if they were committed to the fight for freedom.
Farmers: Pay rent to landlords who opposed the British, but not to those who supported them.

How the Movement Spread Across India

The Quit India Movement quickly grew, with protests breaking out in many parts of the country. The British government reacted by arresting Gandhi and other Congress leaders. Congress was declared illegal, and its offices and properties were taken over. Gandhi was imprisoned in the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, and many other leaders were jailed in different places.

The Movement Goes Underground

After September 1942, due to the harsh actions of the British, the movement had to go underground. Leaders who were not arrested, like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, continued their activities secretly. They held hidden meetings, carried out bombings, and disrupted communication lines to keep the movement alive.

Women’s Role in the Movement

One special aspect of the Quit India Movement was the participation of women. Women not only joined the protests but also led many of them. For example, Aruna Asaf Ali famously hoisted the Indian flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan on August 9, 1942, inspiring others to join the fight. Usha Mehta set up a secret radio station to broadcast news and messages to the masses, keeping the spirit of the movement alive.

Events occurred during the Quit India movement

• Congress politicians including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel were arrested by the British Government.
• The Britishers had the support of the Viceroy’s Council (which had a majority of Indians), of the All India Muslim League, the princely states, the Indian Imperial Police, the British Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service.
• The only outside support came from the Americans, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressured Prime Minister Winston Churchill to give in to some of the Indian demands.
• The Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha opposed to the Quit India Movement.
• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) refused to join in the Quit India Movement.
• Congress members heeding Gandhi’s call resigned from provincial legislatures.

In 1992 Reserve Bank of India issued a 1 rupee commemorative coin to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Quit India Movement.

Why the Quit India Movement Was Important?

The Quit India Movement became a turning point in India’s fight for freedom. Though it did not immediately bring independence, it showed the British that Indians were not willing to be ruled any longer. It also brought people from different backgrounds together in a united cause. After World War II ended in 1945, the demand for India’s independence became stronger, eventually leading to freedom in 1947.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement was a crucial step in India’s journey to independence. It showed the courage and determination of the Indian people and sent a clear message to the British: their rule in India was coming to an end. The movement did not directly lead to freedom, but it set the stage for the final victory in 1947. It remains a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom and the sacrifices made by countless people.