08-August-2024-Editorial

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT (QIM)

The Quit India Movement (QIM), also known as the August Kranti or August Revolution, is commemorated on August 8th each year in India.

The movement, launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942, was a significant milestone in India’s fight for independence from British rule.

In 2024, India celebrates the 82nd anniversary of this historic movement.

What Was the Quit India Movement?

• Pivotal Moment: The QIM was a crucial phase in India’s independence struggle, demanding the immediate withdrawal of British forces from the country.
• Objective: The movement sought to unite Indians in a non-violent campaign of civil disobedience against British colonialism.
• Global Impact: Internationally, the QIM garnered sympathy from sections of the British public and pressured Allied powers during World War II to reconsider their stance on India’s independence.

Reasons Behind the Launch of QIM:

Failure of the Cripps Mission (1942):

• The Cripps Mission exposed the unchanged British attitude towards constitutional reforms in India, offering dominion status instead of complete independence.
• The proposal also allowed provinces the right to secede, which contradicted the principle of national unity.

Economic Impact of World War II:

• Rising prices and shortages of essential commodities like rice and salt led to widespread discontent. The economic situation was exacerbated by poor management and profiteering during the war.

British Evacuation from Southeast Asia:

• The hasty British retreat from Malaya and Burma following the Japanese invasion led to fears that India might be similarly abandoned in the event of a Japanese invasion.

Perceived Imminent British Collapse:

• News of Allied setbacks and British withdrawals from Southeast Asia and Burma made many Indians believe that British power in India was on the verge of collapse.

Imminent Japanese Invasion:

• Indian leaders felt it was crucial to initiate a struggle as the people’s morale was waning, and there was a fear that they might not resist if Japan invaded.

Quit India Resolution:

Adoption of the Resolution:

• On July 14, 1942, the Congress Working Committee adopted the Quit India Resolution at Wardha. It was later accepted by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on August 8, 1942, at Gowalia Tank, Bombay, with Gandhi as the leader of the movement.

Key Resolutions:

• Immediate end to British rule in India.
• Commitment to defending a free India against all forms of Fascism and imperialism.
• Formation of a provisional government after British withdrawal.
• Authorization of a civil disobedience movement against British rule.

Gandhi’s Leadership and the “Do or Die” Call:

Gandhi’s Role:

• Mahatma Gandhi was named the leader of the struggle. He delivered the famous “Do or Die” speech, urging Indians to either achieve freedom or die trying.

British Government’s Response:

Arrests and Suppression:

• On August 9, 1942, all top Congress leaders were arrested, leading to widespread public protests, strikes, and demonstrations across India.

Repressive Measures:

• The British government responded by gagging the press, with prominent newspapers like National Herald and Harijan ceasing publication. Agitating crowds were subjected to lathi charges, tear gas, and even gunfire, resulting in an estimated 10,000 deaths.

Military Control:

• The military took control of many cities, and rebellious villages faced heavy fines and mass flogging.

Underground Activities and Parallel Governments:

Underground Activities:

• Despite the crackdown, underground activities continued, led by figures like Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, and R.P. Goenka. Usha Mehta notably started an underground radio in Bombay.

Parallel Governments:

• Parallel governments were established in various regions, such as Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Tamluk in Bengal, and Satara in Maharashtra. These governments provided essential services and symbolized resistance against British rule.

Was QIM a Spontaneous Outburst or an Organized Movement?

Spontaneous Outburst:

• The QIM is often described as a spontaneous rebellion, given the lack of central leadership after the arrest of top Congress leaders.
• Viceroy Linlithgow referred to it as “the most serious rebellion since 1857.”

Organized Movement:

• However, the movement also had organized elements, such as the radical mass movements led by Congress-affiliated groups over the preceding two decades.
• The drafting of a twelve-point program before August 9, 1942, and prior experiences in the Civil Disobedience Movement contributed to the organized nature of the QIM.

Lessons and Significance of the QIM:

Lessons:

• For Indian Masses: Gandhi and Congress were seen as symbols of liberation, not ideological constraints.
• For Congress: The suppression of QIM led to the discrediting of left-wing elements within Congress, paving the way for moderates and right-wing members to advocate for a negotiated settlement.
• For the British: The British realized that controlling militant mass movements without wartime emergency powers would be challenging. This contributed to their willingness to accept a negotiated withdrawal after the war.

Significance:

• The QIM placed the demand for independence firmly on the national agenda, making it clear that there could be no retreat from the goal of freedom.
• The movement also marked a shift towards constructive work and reorganization within Congress, leading to the end of confrontation in June 1945 with the Simla Conference.

Conclusion:

The Quit India Movement was a decisive moment in India’s quest for independence, galvanizing public support despite brutal repression by British authorities. The movement’s impact was profound, accelerating the end of British colonial rule in India and solidifying the resolve of the Indian people to achieve freedom.