Quit India Movement
Quit India Movement, also known as August Revolution. It proved to be a decisive turn of the Indian freedom struggle. The movement, which began on 8 August 1942 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, became a mass movement with the demand to overthrow the British rule and to independent India. This movement proved to be the last nail in the coffin of British rule, as it not only united the public, but also made the British realize that their rule over India is not going to last long.
Then the period of World War II
The British government pierced India between 1939–1945 in World War II without any consensus. Indian leaders, especially the Congress, demanded that India be given complete freedom in exchange for cooperation in war. But the 1942 Cripps Mission proposed only limited self -government, which was rejected by Indian leaders. Amidst this disappointment and increasing dissatisfaction, Mahatma Gandhi united the countrymen by giving the slogan of ‘do or die’.
Mahatma Gandhi’s rally in Mumbai
Seeing the policy of the British, Mahatma Gandhi ralled on 8 August 1942 at Gwalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai. In this rally, the All India Congress Committee passed the ‘Quit India’ resolution. Mahatma Gandhi said in his historical speech, “We will either liberate India or give our lives in this effort.” This slogan of Mahatma Gandhi spread millions of people on the streets by spreading like fire across the country. Students, farmers, laborers, women and youth in one voice demanded the British to leave India.
Public boils due to arrest of top leaders
Hours after the movement started, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and other prominent leaders were arrested. But it failed to crush the repression movement. Angry people from the British started strikes, processions and sabotage. Railway stations, post offices and government offices were targeted. The movement in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Maharashtra took a fierce form. In Ballia, Bihar, people established an independent government for some time.
Participation of students and women in agitation
After the arrest of the leaders, revolutionaries like Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali and Ram Manohar Lohia gave direction to the movement by staying underground. Aruna Asaf Ali enthralled the countrymen by hoisting the tricolor in Mumbai. People were organized through underground radio broadcasting and leaflets. During this time the participation of students and women made the movement more comprehensive. Impact on English rule
Quit India Movement weakened British rule on many fronts.
The British confidence staggered due to mass movement
For the first time, the whole country revolted against the British together, which laid down the confidence of the British administration. Strikes and sabotage gave a huge blow to the British economy. War efforts were affected due to the stoppage of rail and communication system. Amid the World War, the US and other allies increased the pressure on Britain to give India independence. The movement strengthened India’s demand on the global platform. After World War II, economically weak Britain felt that it was impossible to maintain governance in India.
After this movement, the urge of freedom among Indians is strong
Quit India Movement made the British rule clear that the Indian public now wants freedom at any cost. This movement not only strengthened the urge of freedom among Indians, but also explained to the British government that their rule over India is now a matter of a few months or years. The end of the war and the pressure of the movement played a decisive role in bringing India independence in 1947.
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