Quit India Movement, Causes, Impact, Limitations, Significance

The Quit India Movement, launched on August 8, 1942, under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, was a significant anti-colonial struggle. Gandhi’s slogan, “Do or Die,” marked a decisive call for ending British rule. Initially a civil disobedience movement, it soon turned violent, aiming to dismantle the colonial regime. Acknowledging the nation’s mood, Gandhi deemed resistance against state oppression morally justified, even if it led to riots.

Also called the “August Kranti Movement,” it represented a firm rejection of British rule rather than traditional Satyagraha and set the stage for transformative events in Indian history over the next five

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What is Quit India Movement? 

Quit India Movement was a massive anti-colonial struggle in India, launched on August 8, 1942, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who gave the mantra of “Do or Die” during this Movement.

Background of Quit India Movement 1942

The background of the Quit India Movement lies in the failure of the Cripps Mission, economic hardships during World War II, and rising nationalist sentiments from earlier movements like Civil Disobedience and the demand for Purna Swaraj. With Britain weakened by the war, Gandhi launched the movement in 1942, urging Indians to “Do or Die” for independence.

Causes of Quit India Movement 1942

The Quit India Movement was the culmination of years of Indian disillusionment with British rule, with the immediate causes being the failure of Cripps mission, hardships caused during World War II and the Japanese knocking at the doors of Indian borders. Some of the major causes of the Quit India Movement are as follows:

The attitude of the British Government:

The Indian people had grown increasingly disillusioned with the British government’s failure to fulfil its promises regarding India’s self-rule. The British, although they gained Indian support in World War II, did not want to transfer the power easily.

• The August offer and Cripps mission failed to satisfy the demands of the nationalists.
• Further, the British support to the demand of Pakistan by the Muslim League was making the Indian nationalists (particularly Gandhi)  infuriated.

Growing Nationalism:

By 1942, India’s struggle for independence had been ongoing for several decades. The nationalistic sentiments were at its peak, and people grew increasingly impatient with British rule.

• The extent and activities of the people during the Quit India Movement also reflect this sentiment.
• They had participated wholeheartedly in the Individual Satyagraha movements of 1940. Further, along with the Kisan Sabha movements, it had prepared the ground for the final battle against the imperialist forces.
• They already had tasted the sweetness of self-rule through the Congress rule in the period of 1937-39.
• Therefore, now the people wanted to drive out the British from India.

Socio-Economic factors:

India’s participation in World War II placed significant economic burdens and restrictions on the country. The war effort led to rising prices, shortages of essential goods, and increased taxation, causing immense hardships for the Indian population. The shortage of supply of essential goods and the export of rice caused large-scale deprivation and death, ultimately resulting in the Bengal Famine of 1943.

The defeat of the British in World War II:

Reverses suffered by the British in Southeast Asia and the advancement of Japanese troops towards the borders of India increased the popular discontent among the people.

• The retreat of the British troops from Burma further enhanced this fear.
• The British attitude towards Indian subjects also exposed the racial discrimination policy of the British.
• Indians thought they were on their own. Thus there was the utmost need of a nationalist government to defend its borders.
• And in this situation, the failure of the Cripps Mission led Gandhi and Congress to launch the final strike against the British.

Launch of the Quit India Movement 1942

Congress Working Committee of the Indian National Congress met at Wardha on July 14, 1942, and decided to launch a mass civil disobedience movement under the leadership of Gandhi. The All India Congress Committee met at Gowalia Tank, Bombay, on 8 August 1942 and passed the famous Quit India Resolution.  Gandhi sloganed his ‘Do or Die’ call on the same day.

• Demands: It demanded an end to British rule in India with immediate effect, the formation of a provisional government after the war and the declaration of free India.
• Government’s response: On the 8th and 9th of August 1942, the government arrested all the prominent leaders of Congress.
  • Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned in Poona. Jawaharlal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad, and other leaders were imprisoned in the Ahmednagar Fort.

Nature of the Quit India Movement 1942

Although the Movement was initially started as a civil disobedience movement, it differed from other movements launched by Gandhi.

• Different from earlier movements: The NCM of 1920-22 and the CDM of 1930-34 were conceived as the peaceful resistance to British rule, and the social base expanded slowly to accommodate wider participation of people.

• • • On the contrary, the Quit India Movement was a massive uprising from the very beginning to compel the British to quit India.
  • Ends justifying means: The British’ attitude towards Indians and their endorsement to Jinnah’s communal polity frustrated Gandhi.
    • Knowing the mood of the Indians, especially in the limited but symbolic Individual Satyagrahas, he even believed that the masses could adopt a violent path in self-defence against a well-equipped and strong aggressor. It was reflected in his article in ‘the Harijan’ in March 1942.
    • He opined that every individual must consider himself free and should act for himself to attain freedom.
    • Thus, he was more concerned for the ends (freedom) than the means (methods). 

• Clear goal and objectives: The 1942 Movement’s goal was less ambiguous in its objectives as it was launched to make the complete withdrawal of the British from India. It has four main features:

• • Accommodative of violence against the state,
  • Aimed at destroying the British rule involving anybody believing in complete independence instead of trained satyagrahis,
  • Students were called to play the major role and should lead the Movement after the arrest of senior Congress leaders and
  • Total defiance of government authority.

• Leaderless Movement: Once the main leaders were arrested on 9 August, the Movement took a radical turn, often cited as the most ‘un-Gandhian’ method of the freedom movement. 
  • As Gandhi had already sanctioned violence and the role of younger generations, the movement developed at the grassroots level.
• Underground activities: The movement saw the emergence of underground radical activities.
  • Purpose: The purpose of such underground activities was to maintain popular morale, establish a line of command, provide guidance, and distribute arms and ammunition.
  • Key personalities: Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani, and R.P. Goenka. Usha Mehta established an underground radio station in Bombay.
• Parallel governments: The movement also saw the emergence of parallel governments in certain parts of India.

Spread of the Quit India Movement 1942

Quit India Movement had two phases: the mass movement phase (August to September 1942), and the quasi-guerrilla insurgency phase (afterwards). The people started burning and destroying anything that symbolised British authority, such as post offices, police stations, government buildings, Railways and telegraph lines. The scale of participation in Bihar and eastern UP was unparalleled.

Participation in the Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement saw widespread participation from various sections of Indian society. Among other, the following section of society participated in movement: 

• Students: Workers, students and middle-class radicals were involved in most parts of the country, and the movement spread to the villages.
  • Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh witnessed the unprecedented participation of the students.
  • Militant students of Patna and Benares played a significant role in this movement.
• Peasants: The extent of the peasants’ participation was limited as the Quit India Movement was focused more on nationalism than anything else. Still, in Bihar and Eastern UP, they were more active.
• Tribals: In Bengal and Orissa, they participated in the struggle.
• Government officials: Government employees, particularly those from lower ranks of the police and administration, took part, which decreased people’s devotion to the government. Some government officials, including police, passed on secret information to the activists.
• Women: Women’s participation was remarkable during the Quit India Movement. They actively took part in protests, strikes, and demonstrations and played a significant role in organising and mobilising local communities.

Regional Participation of Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement saw vibrant participation across various regions of India. Following table illustrate some notable examples:

Parallel Government

Parallel governments: The movement also saw the emergence of parallel governments in certain parts of India

British Response to Quit India Movement 1942

The British responded to the Quit India Movement with swift repression, arresting key Congress leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel, detaining over 100,000 people, and declaring the Congress unlawful. Violent clashes led to significant casualties, with deaths ranging from 1,028 to over 10,000. 

• The British, supported by the Viceroy’s Council, the All India Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, princely states, Indian Imperial Police, and British Indian Army, used raids and force to suppress the movement. 
• Despite this, the economic disruption and political pressure reinforced the inevitability of India’s independence.

Limitations of the Quit India Movement 1942

While the Quit India Movement played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence, it also had several limitations that affected its overall impact:

• • Failed to meet its objectives: The movement did not immediately lead to freedom, and it took more years of struggle and negotiations before independence was achieved.
  • Lack of central leadership: This hindered effective coordination and decision-making, leading to confusion and fragmentation within the movement.
  • No consensus:  Some political parties and leaders opposed the Quit India Movement.
    • Muslim League, Communist Party of India, and Hindu Mahasabha were against the Movement.
    • Bureaucracy was also against the Movement.
    • B. R. Ambedkar and Periyar were also against the Movement.

• Communal divide: Muslim participation in the movement was even lower than the CDM. Jinnah appealed to Muslims to join the armed forces. Muslim League used this time period to mobilise masses that helped it in the next elections of 1945-46, which strengthened its demand of a separate state, ultimately resulting in the Partition.

• • Further, there were some areas of communal violence during the Movement.

Significance of the Quit India Movement 1942

The Quit India Movement, active until 1944, was ultimately suppressed by the British. Although it did not immediately achieve its goal of driving out the British, it was a defining phase in India’s struggle for independence.

• A Radical and Widespread Movement: The Quit India Movement was marked by unprecedented enthusiasm, surpassing earlier movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
  • Unlike the urban-focused NCM and broader CDM, it was the most radical and violent, driven largely by the poor and labor classes, who were severely affected by wartime inflation.
• Mass Participation and Grassroots Leadership: Despite the absence of central leadership, it witnessed massive participation from diverse groups, including younger generations, peasants, tribals, and women.
  • The movement had a grassroots character, with a bottom-up approach led by the subaltern classes, making it a true people’s movement.
• Role of Emerging Leaders: Leaders of the Congress Socialist Party, such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, played a crucial role in mobilizing the masses.
  • The movement also saw the rise of new leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali, who became an enduring symbol of resistance.
• Impact on the British Rule: While it did not force an immediate British exit, the movement weakened their authority and control.
  • It set the tone for subsequent protests, including the public response during the INA Trials, and created momentum contributing to India’s eventual independence.

Quit India Movement 1942 UPSC PYQs

Question 1: With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC Prelims 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.

Answer: (a)

Question 2: With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: (UPSC Prelims 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

Answer: (c)

Question 3: Quit India Movement was launched in response to (UPSC Prelims 2013)

1. Cabinet Mission Plan
2. Cripps Proposals
3. Simon Commission Report
4. Wavell Plan

Answer: (b)