Quit India Movement 1942: Mass Participation, Gandhi’s Leadership & Call for Do or Die

Quit India Movement 1942: Gandhi’s Call for Immediate Independence

The Quit India Movement emerged in response to the failure of the Cripps Mission and growing discontent with British colonial rule. The Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, sought immediate and unconditional independence from British rule.

Gandhi’s Resolution: Quit India Movement Call After Cripps, 1942

• Following Cripps’ departure: Gandhi drafted a resolution requesting British withdrawal as well as a nonviolent non-cooperation campaign in the event of a Japanese invasion. On July 14, 1942, the CWC meeting in Wardha approved the idea of a battle.

Reason To Start  Movement: Uniting Against Oppression and British Indifference

With unity as our weapon and determination as our guide, the “Quit India Movement” ignited a fervour that set our nation’s spirit ablaze, empowering us to break free from the chains of oppression and march towards an independent destiny. Here are some reasons to start the movement:

• The failure of the Cripps Mission: To resolve the constitutional deadlock exposed Britain’s unchanged attitude toward constitutional advancement and made it clear that any further silence would imply acceptance of the British right to decide the fate of Indians without consulting them.  
• There Was Popular Discontent: There was popular discontent in Assam, Bengal, and Orissa due to rising food prices and scarcity of rice, salt, and other staples, as well as fears that Britain would pursue a scorched earth policy.  
• News Of Reverses Suffered By The British: Reverses Sustained by the British: In Southeast Asia, the threat of British collapse increased people’s willingness to express their discontent.  

Quit India Resolution: Defying Colonial Chains for Independence

The Quit India Movement echoed a firm demand, shaking the foundations of colonial dominance as our nation vowed to break free from chains and carve its own destiny. Here are some of the Quit India Movement: 

• Quit India Resolution: In July 1942, the Congress Working Committee met in Wardha and decided to give Gandhi command of the nonviolent mass campaign. The resolution is commonly referred to as the “Quit India Movement” resolution.  
• Proposed by Nehru and Patel: It was to be accepted by the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay in August, as proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru and seconded by Sardar Patel. 
• Demand For British Rule In India To End: On August 8, 1942, the Congress assembly in Gowalia Tank, Bombay, approved the Quit India Movement. The group also agreed to seek an end to British rule in India immediately. Gandhi was designated as the struggle’s leader. 
• Civil Disobedience Action Against British Control: Declare free India’s determination to defend itself against all forms of Fascism and imperialism; create a temporary Government of India following British withdrawal; and authorise a civil disobedience action against British control. 

Gandhi’s Call: ‘Do or Die’ Instructions for Freedom Struggle

• Government employees: Do not resign, but instead pledge loyalty to Congress. 
• Soldiers: Do not leave the Army, but do not fire on fellow Indians. 
• Students: If you are confident, stop studying. 
• Peasants: If zamindars are anti-government, pay mutually agreed-upon rent; otherwise, do not pay rent. 
• Princes: Please support the masses and recognise your people’s sovereignty. 
• People of princely states: Support the monarch only if he is anti-government and consider yourselves a member of the Indian nation. 
• The mantra of Gandhi: “Here is a mantra, a brief one, that I give you,” Gandhi said. You may stamp it on your heart and convey it with every breath you take. ‘Do or Die,’ is the motto. We will either free India or die trying; we will not survive to see the continuation of our servitude.” 

Spread of the Movement: Government Resistance, Arrests, and Public Fury

• Government Not in Mood Of Negotiation: Gandhi had built the movement through individual civil disobedience movements, organisational revamping and a consistent propaganda campaign, but the government was in no mood to negotiate.  
• Top Leadership In Jail: On August 9, 1942, all the top leaders of Congress were arrested and taken to unknown destinations.  
• Declare Unlawful: Under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908, the Congress Working Committee, the All India Congress Committee, and the Provincial Congress Committees were declared unlawful associations, and the assembly of public meetings was prohibited under Rule 56 of the Defence of India Rules.
• Hosting Flag: Aruna Asaf Ali, a relatively unknown young woman, presided over the Congress committee session and hoisted the flag.
• Public on Rampage: The general public went on a rampage, attacking symbols of authority and forcibly hoisting national flags on public buildings in the eastern United Provinces and Bihar.  
• Activities by Staygrahis: Satyagrahis offered themselves up to arrest, bridges were blown up, railway tracks were removed and telegraph lines were cut.  
• Activities by Students: Students responded by going on strike in schools and colleges, participating in processions, writing and distributing illegal news sheets, and acting as couriers for underground networks.  
• Activities by Workers: Workers went on strike in Ahmedabad, Bombay, Jamshedpur, Ahmednagar and Pune. 

Underground Resistance: Nationalists and Activities Across India

• Active Hot Spot: The most important details in this text are the activities of nationalists in various parts of India, such as Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi.  
• Main Personalities: The Main personalities involved in underground activity included Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani, and R.P. Goenka, who established an underground radio station in Bombay to maintain popular morale and distribute arms and ammunition.

Mass Participation in Quit India: Unity Across Classes and Faiths

The Quit India Movement is a testament to the unprecedented extent of mass participation, where the pulsating heartbeat of millions resonated in unison, transcending boundaries of class, caste, and creed, united in the pursuit of freedom.

• Large Scale Participation: There was a wide range of participation. Youth, particularly school and college students, remained at the forefront. 
• Women Participation: Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani, and Usha Mehta were among the women who actively engaged, particularly school and college students. 
• Workers: They went on strike and were subjected to persecution. 
• Peasants: The movement was led by peasants of various social classes. Some zamindars also took part. These peasants focused their onslaught on symbols of power, and there was no anti-zamindar violence. 
• Government personnel: They particularly those at lower levels of police and administration, took part, eroding government allegiance. 
• Muslims: They assisted by providing a haven for underground activists. During the march, there were no communal conflicts. 
• The Communists: They did not join the movement; in the aftermath of Russia (where the communists were in control) being attacked by Nazi Germany, the communists began to support the British fight against Germany and the ‘Imperialist War’ became the ‘People’s War’. 
• The Muslim League: It was opposed to the campaign, thinking that if the British left India at that time, the Hindus would abuse the minorities. 
• Mahasabha and Princely State: The Hindu Mahasabha voted to boycott the movement and The Princely states responded quietly. 

Gandhi’s 1943 Fast: Stirring Public Reaction Against State Aggression

In response to the government’s call to denounce violence, Gandhi began a fast in February 1943. The fast was geared against state aggression.  

• Tremendous People’s Reaction: The public’s reaction to the fast announcement was quick and tremendous. Protests were held both at home and abroad in the form of hartals, demonstrations, and strikes.  
• Resignation By Members: The viceroy’s executive council was quit by three members.  
• The fast accomplished the following:  
  • It increased popular morale and heightened anti-British sentiment. 
  • A chance for political engagement was offered, and the government’s arrogance was revealed. 
  • Gandhi triumphed over his opponents by refusing to succumb to death. 

Conclusion

The Quit India Movement was a civil disobedience movement that sought immediate independence from British rule. It saw widespread participation, repression, and violence, all of which left an indelible mark on the Indian freedom struggle. The movement galvanized the Indian people, posed a challenge to British authority, and played an important role in India’s path to independence.

Previous Year Question (Prelims)

Q1. With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct? [2021] 

1. The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.
2. The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.
3. The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.
4. Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over.

Q2. With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: [2017] 

1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy 
2. Quit India Movement launched 
3. Second Round Table Conference 

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events? 

1. 1-2-3
2. 2-1-3
3. 3-2-1
4. 3-1-2

Q3. Which one of the following observations is not true about the Quit India Movement of 1942? [2011] 

1. It was a non-violent movement
2. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi
3. It was a spontaneous movement
4. It did not attract the labour class in general

Q4. With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for______________ [2011] 

1. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
2. Participating in the second round Table Conference
3. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
4. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

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