The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Kranti, was a mass civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to the British Empire's refusal to grant India independence during World War II. The movement was led by the Indian National Congress (INC) and Mahatma Gandhi, and it was one of the most significant events in the Indian independence struggle.
One of the defining features of the Quit India Movement was Gandhi's "Do or Die" call, which he made in a speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay on August 8, 1942. In his speech, Gandhi urged the Indian people to fight for their freedom with all their might, even if it meant sacrificing their lives. He said:
We shall either do or die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt. We shall not live to see the perpetuation of India's slavery.
Gandhi's "Do or Die" call had a profound impact on the Indian people. It inspired them to rise against British rule and to fight for their freedom with renewed determination. The result was a massive wave of civil disobedience across India. People boycotted British goods and institutions, and they staged demonstrations and protests against British rule.
The British government responded to the Quit India Movement with brutal repression. Thousands of Congress leaders and activists were arrested, and many were tortured and imprisoned. The government also imposed a strict curfew on many parts of the country and cracked down on the press.
Despite the British government's repression, the Quit India Movement continued to spread. People from all walks of life participated in the movement, including peasants, workers, students, and women. The movement was influential in rural areas, where peasants refused to pay taxes to the British government and attacked government offices and police stations.
The Quit India Movement ultimately failed to achieve its immediate goal of forcing the British to quit India. However, it was a significant turning point in the Indian independence struggle. It showed the British that the Indian people were determined to achieve their freedom, and it put the British government on the defensive. The movement also inspired other movements for social and political change around the world.
The consequences of the "Do or Die" call
Gandhi's "Do or Die" call had several significant consequences. On the one hand, it inspired the Indian people to fight for their freedom with renewed determination. It also put the British government on the defensive and showed them that the Indian people were serious about their demands.
On the other hand, the "Do or Die" call also led to a significant increase in violence. The British government responded to the movement with brutal repression, and many people were killed and injured in the ensuing clashes. The movement also led to widespread damage to infrastructure and property.
In addition, the "Do or Die" call led to a division within the Indian independence movement. Some leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, supported Gandhi's call for mass civil disobedience. Others, such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, were more cautious and believed that the movement should be more focused on constructive work and building popular support.
Despite the divisions within the Indian independence movement, the Quit India Movement was a significant turning point in the struggle for freedom. It showed the British that the Indian people were determined to achieve their freedom, and it put the British government on the defensive. The movement also inspired other movements for social and political change around the world.
Conclusion
The Quit India Movement was a defining moment in the Indian independence struggle. It was a mass civil disobedience movement that was launched in response to the British Empire's refusal to grant India independence during World War II. The movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, and it was one of the most significant events in the Indian independence struggle.
Gandhi's "Do or Die" call, which he made in a speech on August 8, 1942, had a profound impact on the Indian people. It inspired them to rise against British rule and to fight for their freedom with renewed determination. The result was a massive wave of civil disobedience across India.
The British government responded to the Quit India Movement with brutal repression. Thousands of Congress leaders and activists were arrested, and many were tortured and imprisoned. The government also imposed a strict curfew on many parts of the country and cracked down on the press.
Despite the British government's repression, the Quit India Movement continued to spread. People from all walks of life participated in the movement, including peasants, workers, students, and women. The movement was influential in rural areas, where peasants refused to pay taxes to the British government and attacked government offices and police stations.
