About The Movement:

-The Quit India Movement was a direct consequence of Britain's involvement in second world war and its efforts in procuring India's support.

-It was officially launched by the Indian National Congress (INC) led by Mahatma Gandhi on 9 August 1942.

-The movement gave the slogans ‘Quit India’ or ‘Bharat Chodo’. Gandhi gave the slogan to the people – ‘Do or die’.

Reasons behind Movement:

-The failure of the Cripps Mission to guarantee any kind of constitutional remedy to India’s problems.

-Decline of popular faith in British regime due to reverses suffered by British in south-east Asia.

-Popular discontent because of inflation and fears of British following scorched earth policy in Assam,Bengal,Orissa against possible Japanese invasion.

• Gandhi’s Instructions to various sections of the public:

1. Government servants: do not resign but declare your allegiance to the INC.
2. Soldiers: be with the army but refrain from firing on compatriots.
3. Peasants: pay the agreed upon rent if the landlords/Zamindars are anti-government; if they are pro-government, do not pay the rent.
4. Students: can leave studies if they are confident enough.
5. Princes: support the people and accept sovereignty of them.
6. People of the princely states: support the ruler only if he is anti-government; declare themselves as part of the Indian nation.

• The Quit India Resolution was passed by the Congress Working Committee which had following demands:?

1. Immediate end to British rule over India.
2. Declaration of the commitment of free India to defend itself against all kinds of imperialism and fascism.
3. Formation of a provisional government of India after British withdrawal.
4. Sanctioning a civil disobedience movement against British rule.

Spread and Response to Movement:

• The British government responded to the call of Gandhi by arresting all major Congress leaders the very next day. Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, etc. were all arrested. This left the movement in the hands of the younger leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia. New leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali emerged out of the vacuum of leadership.
• Over 100000 people were arrested in connection with this movement. The government resorted to violence in order to quell the agitation. They were mass floggings and lathi charges. Even women and children were not spared. About 10000 people died in police firing in total.
• There was no communal violence.
• The INC was banned. Its leaders were jailed for almost the whole of the war. Gandhi was released on health grounds in 1944.
• The people responded to Gandhi’s call in a major way. However, in the absence of leadership, there were stray incidences of violence and damage to government property. Many buildings were set on fire, electricity lines were cut and communication and transport lines were broken.
• The League was not in favour of the British leaving India without partitioning the country first. In fact, Jinnah asked more Muslims to enlist in the army to fight the war.
• The Communist party supported the war waged by the British since they were allied with the Soviet Union.
• Subhas Chandra Bose, was by this time, organising the Indian National Army and the Azad Hind government from outside the country.
• In some places, parallel governments were also set up. Example: Ballia, Tamluk, Satara.

Significance of Movement

1.The movement made British realize that India could not be governed without the support of the Indians.

2.It placed the demand for Complete Independence on the immediate agenda of freedom movement.

3.Common people displayed unparalleled heroism and survived brutal repression for Independence,which strengthened their vigour.

4.It exposed high-handedness of Government.