Quit India Movement

About Quit India Movement

• The Quit India Movement is also known as the August Movement was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee.
• Launched by: It was launched  by Mahatma Gandhi on 8 August 1942, demanding an end to British rule in India.
  • It demanded an immediate end to British rule in India, as highlighted by the “Do or Die” slogan.
• Figures involved: Beside Gandhi, other leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Vallabvai Patel, Govinda Ballabh Pant, Syed Mahmud, Acharya J.B. Kripalini, Sankar Rao Deo, Hare Krushna Mahatab, Prafulla Chandra Ghose, Pattabhi Sitaramaya, Asaf Ali and Acharya Narendra Dev were also involved. 
• Causes of the Quit India Movement: The immediate cause for the Quit India Movement was the failure of the Cripps Mission and the hardships caused during World War II.
• Phases of the Quit India Movement: The Quit India Movement can be broadly divided into three phases:
  • First Phase: The movement initially remained largely non-violent and involved civil disobedience, strikes and boycotts.
    • The British government responded with widespread repression and arrested almost all major Congress leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, who remained imprisoned until 1945.
    • There was widespread urban uprising, boycott of goods, and shop picketing. 
  • Second Phase: The movement gradually became more aggressive and violent, with attacks on government buildings, offices and other symbols of British authority, communication was hampered.
    • Railway tracks and stations were destroyed, causing significant infrastructural damage. 
  • Britishers also retaliated vehemently, issuing fines, lathi charges, and jail. 
  • Third Phase: The final phase witnessed the emergence of parallel or independent governments in several parts of the country, including Ballia, Satara and Tamluk.
• Successes of the Quit India Movement
  • Women’s Participation: Women played a significant role in the movement. Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the national flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan, while Usha Mehta operated an underground radio station to spread the message of the movement.
  • Emergence of Future Leaders: The movement brought several future national leaders to prominence, including Biju Patnaik, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Sucheta Kriplani and Jayaprakash Narayan, many of whom supported the movement through underground activities.
• Limitations of the Quit India Movement
  • The movement lacked the support of several important organisations and sections of society.
  • The British received support from the Princely States, British Indian Army, Indian Civil Services, Viceroy’s Council, Indian Imperial Police and the All-India Muslim League.
  • The Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League also opposed the movement.