The Quit India Movement - Struggle for Independence and Civil Disobedience

On August 9, 1942, India launched the Quit India movement, a mass upsurge against colonial rule on a scale that had not been witnessed earlier. It also sent out the unmistakable message that the sun was about to set for the British empire in India. It has led even the ordinary Indian to the streets with a vow to ‘Do or Die’ in the form of the Quit India Movement. 

The movement was a clarion call driven by Mahatma Gandhi as a part of the Civil disobedience movement, demanding the end of British rule in India. Even though the British crushed the moment violently, the message was clear. They realized they would have to leave India, as nothing less was acceptable. 

Overview of Quit India Movement

Aspect	Details
Date	8 August 1942
Leader	Mahatma Gandhi
Goal	End British rule in India
Slogan	“Quit India” / “Do or Die”
Nature	Civil disobedience
Key Events	Mass protests, civil disobedience, arrests of leaders
Outcome	Widespread arrests, suppression of the movement, increased nationalistic fervor
Significance	United Indians across regions, highlighted the demand for independence, and laid the groundwork for future freedom struggles

About the Quit India Movement

The India August Movement, also known as the August Kranti or Quit India Movement, was initiated by the Indian National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942. With slogans like “Quit India” or “Bharat Chodo,” Gandhi inspired the people with his iconic call to “Do or Die.” The movement aimed to peacefully demand India’s independence from British rule.

The Quit India Resolution, passed by the Congress Working Committee in Bombay on August 8, 1942, officially named Gandhi as the movement’s leader.

Demands of the Quit India Movement

• Immediate end to British rule in India.
• India’s commitment to defend itself against imperialism and fascism.
• Formation of a provisional government after British withdrawal.
• Sanction of civil disobedience to oppose British authority.

Gandhi also provided specific instructions to various sections of society:

• Government servants: Support the Indian National Congress without resigning.
• Soldiers: Stay in the army but refrain from attacking fellow Indians.
• Peasants: Pay rent only to landlords who opposed the government.
• Students: Leave studies if confident in participating.
• Princes: Support the people and acknowledge their sovereignty.
• Citizens of princely states: Align with rulers only if they were anti-government or declare themselves part of the Indian nation.

Quit India Resolution: Background and Significance 

1. Historical Background of the Quit India Movement

India’s quest for Independence began in the 19th century through different reform movements, including the Indian National Congress. INC, established in 1185, has always challenged British rules and motivated Indians to fight for their freedom and rights. However, it was only in the 20th century that the struggle gained a significant moment due to the participation of civic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, spreading the non-violent Quit India Movement or the August movement with INC.

He issued a call to action, the movement to win support from Indians to orderly exit the British from India. The all-India Congress committee organized the movement and widespread demonstration.

2. Significance of the Quit India Movement  

1. Quit India Movement involves well-known leaders, including Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali, Biju Patnaik, and Sucheta Kripalani, in underground activities.

2. The movement witnessed the presence of majestic women like Usha Mehta. The female activities’ contribution to establishing underground radio stations has sparked awareness of the nationwide movement.

3. It brings the struggle of India to the forefront of the global stage, intensifying the demand for self-rule.

4. The movement highly uses the power of civil disobedience and non-violent resistance as powerful tools for special and social alteration.

5. The struggle instilled a robust sense of unity and brotherhood in India. It was a unifying force that brought people from diverse relations and backgrounds together.

6. The Quit India Movement is often compared with other independence movements, including the American Revolution and African independence movements. They reflect the resilience and determination of people to liberate themselves from colonial rule with self-determination.

Phases of the Quit India Movement

First Phase:

The initial phase saw urban unrest, with strikes, boycotts, and picketing prevalent but swiftly suppressed. Workers nationwide supported the cause by abstaining from factory work. Gandhi’s imprisonment at Aga Khan Palace in Pune and the arrest of numerous leaders ensued.

Second Phase:

Transitioning to rural areas, the focus shifted to significant peasant rebellions. Destruction of communication systems and attacks on colonial symbols, like railway tracks and government buildings, characterized this phase.

Third Phase:

In the final phase, national or parallel governments emerged in isolated pockets such as Ballia, Tamluk, and Satara.

Quit India Movement: Year and Date 

Quit India Movement’s initiation.

1. August 8, 1942 – 

The Movement was planned and strategy by Mahatma Gandhi and Congress in 1942.

2. August 9, 1942 –  

He made a famous Quit India Speech in Bombay with a vow to do or die on August 8, 1942, calling for a mass struggle to free the nation from British clutches.

3. August 10, 1942 – 

The British arrested Mahatma Gandhi and other notable leaders from the Congress committee.

4. August 11, 1942 – 

The British government announced that quitting the Indian movement was illegal.

After three years, as the outcome of the Quit India Movement, the British government announced it would grant independence to India.

Causes of the Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement emerged as the culmination of years of Indian disillusionment with British rule, catalyzed by various factors including the failure of the Cripps mission, the adversities of World War II, and the looming threat of Japanese invasion. Key causes of the movement can be outlined as follows:

The British Government’s stance:

Indian discontent grew as the British government failed to honor promises of self-rule, even amidst India’s support in World War II. The August offer and Cripps mission fell short of nationalist demands, exacerbating frustrations, especially with the British backing the Muslim League’s Pakistan demand.

Rising Nationalism:

By 1942, India’s nationalist fervor reached its zenith, fueled by decades of struggle and impatience with British dominance. The populace’s extensive participation in movements like Individual Satyagraha and Kisan Sabha showcased their resolve for independence, having tasted self-rule during Congress governance (1937-39).

Socio-Economic Strains:

India’s involvement in World War II imposed severe economic strains, with escalating prices, shortages, and heavy taxation burdening the populace. Supply shortages and rice exports exacerbated suffering, culminating in the Bengal Famine of 1943.

British Defeats in World War II:

The British suffered setbacks in Southeast Asia, coupled with Japanese advances towards Indian borders, intensifying popular discontent. The retreat from Burma heightened fears, while British racial discrimination deepened Indian sentiments of abandonment. With the failure of the Cripps Mission, Gandhi and Congress saw the imperative for a final confrontation with British rule.

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Response to Quit India Movement 1942

The British government reacted swiftly and forcefully to the Quit India Movement. Here’s a breakdown of their response:

Arrest of Leaders

• Imprisonment of Key Figures: The British arrested major Congress leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel.
• Emergence of New Leadership: This led to the rise of younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.

Suppression of the Movement

• Mass Arrests: Over 100,000 individuals were arrested to quell the protests.
• Violent Crackdown: The British used brutal force, including mass beatings and police charges, to suppress the movement. Thousands of people, including women and children, were killed or injured.

Political Divisions

• Opposition from Religious and Political Groups: The Muslim League, Communist Party of India, and Hindu Mahasabha opposed the Quit India Movement.
• Subhas Chandra Bose’s Separate Movement: Subhas Chandra Bose, along with the Indian National Army, pursued a separate path to independence.

Impact on the Movement

• Lack of Centralized Leadership: The imprisonment of key leaders led to a lack of centralized direction and coordination.
• Sporadic Violence: The movement, while widespread, was often characterized by sporadic acts of violence and vandalism.
• Government Suppression: The British government’s strong response and effective suppression tactics weakened the movement’s momentum.

Regional response to the Quit India movement

Bihar

• Active Participation: Students, peasants, and workers were actively involved in the Quit India Movement, fostering a strong resistance despite government suppression.
• Underground Activities: Strong underground networks disrupted law and order, with severe organizations and dacoit gangs having links to prominent leaders like Jayprakash Narayan.
• Parallel Government: JP Narayan and Rammanohar Lohia established a parallel government along the Nepal border, showcasing defiance until 1944.
• Azad Dastas: The socialist group Azad Dastas conducted clandestine operations, contributing to the movement’s momentum

Uttar Pradesh (UP):

• Armed Resistance: Villagers targeted police posts and courts, engaging in looting as a form of protest.
• Urban Strikes: Strikes and clashes occurred in industrial centers like Kanpur, Lucknow, Nagpur, and Delhi, reflecting urban discontent

Bengal:

• Urban Unrest: Towns and cities witnessed protests, sabotage, and disruptions to essential services, highlighting urban participation.
• Rural Uprising: Worker, tribal, and peasant movements gained momentum in rural areas, intertwining with the Quit India Movement’s objectives.

Western India:

• Guerrilla Attacks: Peasants conducted guerrilla-style attacks on government property and sympathizers in districts like East Khandesh, Satara, Broach, and Surat.
• Parallel Governance: Gujarat saw the establishment of the “Azad Government” in Ahmedabad, replicating administrative structures.
• Propaganda Influence: Underground publications like the Bombay Provincial Bulletin and Free India incited activism, particularly in Bombay.

South India:

• Leadership Influence: Leaders like K.T. Bhashyam in Bangalore played pivotal roles, organizing strikes and mobilizing support.

Social Base:

• Student Mobilization: Workers, students, and middle-class radicals were prominent participants, with exceptional student involvement in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Peasant Engagement: Limited peasant involvement existed, especially in Bihar and Eastern UP, albeit overshadowed by nationalist fervor.
• Tribal Involvement: Tribals in Bengal and Orissa contributed to the struggle, though to a lesser extent.
• Government Dissent: Government employees, including police, defected, diminishing public trust in authority.
• Women’s Participation:  Women played significant roles in protests, strikes, and community mobilization, amplifying the movement’s reach and impact.

Why the Quit India Movement Was Important?

Despite the government’s rigorous attempts at suppression, the populace remained resolute in their struggle. The government’s proclamation that independence could only follow the war’s conclusion was countered by the movement, emphasizing that India’s governance necessitated the backing of its people. This activism elevated the call for total independence to the forefront of the freedom movement’s objectives, bolstering public morale and anti-British sentiment.

Result of Quit India Movement: Sucess and Failure

Successes:

1. Emergence of Future Leaders:

Ram Manohar Lohia, J.P. Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Biju Patnaik, and Sucheta Kriplani, among others, engaged in clandestine activities during the movement, later rising as influential leaders.

2. Women’s Active Participation:

Women played a significant role in the movement; figures like Usha Mehta established clandestine radio stations, fostering awareness about the cause.

3. Rise of Nationalism:

The Quit India Movement fostered a profound sense of unity and fraternity, prompting widespread actions such as students leaving schools, individuals relinquishing jobs, and withdrawing funds from banks.

4. Paving the Way for Independence:

Despite the British refusal to grant immediate independence, the movement highlighted India’s ungovernable nature in the long term due to the strains of World War II. It altered the dynamics of political negotiations, eventually facilitating India’s independence.

Failures:

1. Brutal Suppression:

 Instances of violence, though not premeditated, marred the movement, with British authorities resorting to extreme measures such as shootings, baton charges, and arson, leading to widespread arrests and exorbitant fines.

2. Lack of Support:

• The Muslim League, Communist Party of India, Hindu Mahasabha, and Indian bureaucracy withheld support for the movement, with differing reasons ranging from partition concerns to strategic alliances. 
• Subhas Chandra Bose’s formation of the Indian National Army outside the country further complicated internal dynamics within the movement, while dissent within Congress, exemplified by C Rajagopalachari’s resignation, underscored internal divisions.

Conclusion

The Quit India Movement or Bharat Chhodo Andolan, 1942, was brutally repressed by the British through violent means. Most of the freedom fighters who participated in the struggle were arrested. The British declared the Indian National Congress as an unlawful association. Nonetheless, despite the lack of success, the Quit India movement drastically changed the course of negotiations with the British government, ultimately leading to India’s independence in 1947.

India will remember the Quit India Movement as a symbol of its unwavering commitment to achieve self-rule through non-violent means. Even after around 80 years, it is still the defining moment in India’s history for the freedom struggle.  

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