Quit India Movement (August Movement)
Introduction: The Quit India Movement, also known as ‘August Movement’, was a freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
Date and year: It began on 8th August, 1942.
Causes: The Second World War began in 1939. This War made the situation somewhat favorable for the Indian national struggle. The British were under heavy pressure in the early years of the war. Japanese attacks threatened the British. There was a possibility of British defeat. Gandhiji and the other leaders of the congress feared that the Japanese might invade India. And if they did so, the country would be ruined.
It was thought the Japanese attack on India could be avoided only if the British left India. For, Japan would attack not the Indians but the British Government. So, the British should be asked to quit India and India should now be ruled by Indian themselves.
‘Quit India’ and ‘Do or Die’ slogan: But the British showed no desire to leave India. So, in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1942 Gandhiji put forward the famous Quit India slogan. And it was accepted by all. It was decided that the British would be asked to leave India. And if they did not leave, a severe struggle would begin and continue until they left India. Gandhiji gave his call of ‘Do or Die’ the decision was taken on 8th August 1942 which was known as “Quit India Resolution”. But next day Gandhiji and several other leaders were arrested and the congress was banned again.
Spread of Movement
- Matangini Hazra, Satish Samanta, Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia became famous for their heroic roles in the movement.
- The news of these arrested soon got known and the whole country was angry.
- Angry crowds everywhere demanded the leaders to be freed.
- Shops were closed for days together.
- Students, peasants, workers, shopkeepers and political workers showed their temper.
- Hundreds of people lost their lives in police firing during the first few days.
- Everywhere the slogan of “Quit India’ was heard.
- At many places, the Indian National Flag was hoisted.
- In Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in particular the movement was very serious.
Few instances of violence: The August Movement, as the Quit India Movement was known, was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it took violent shape at some places. Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.