Q. What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results.
UPSC Mains 2024 GS1 Paper
Model Answer:
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement, launched in 1942, was a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence. Several events led to this decisive mass movement:
• Failure of the Cripps Mission: Sir Stafford Cripps’ proposals for limited self-government were rejected by Indian leaders, deepening frustration with British rule.
• World War II impact: The war caused economic hardships, inflation, and food shortages in India, fueling discontent among the masses.
• Threat of Japanese invasion: As Japan advanced towards India’s borders, Indians demanded control over their own defense.
• Growing impatience: Previous movements and negotiations had failed to secure independence, leading to increased urgency among nationalist leaders.
These factors culminated in the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay on August 8, 1942, where the Quit India Resolution was passed. Mahatma Gandhi’s stirring “Do or Die” speech galvanized the nation, calling for an orderly British withdrawal from India.
The British response was swift and severe:
• Immediate arrest of prominent leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel
• Brutal suppression of protests, resulting in thousands of casualties
• Censorship of press and curtailment of civil liberties
Despite the crackdown, the movement spread rapidly, with widespread demonstrations, strikes, and acts of sabotage. Underground networks and parallel governments emerged in some areas.
Results of the Quit India Movement:
1. Demonstrated the strength and reach of Indian nationalism
2. Weakened British control over India, particularly in rural areas
3. Convinced the British that their rule in India was unsustainable
4. Paved the way for independence negotiations post-World War II
5. Fostered the emergence of new, local leadership across India
While the movement did not immediately achieve its goal of British withdrawal, it marked a decisive shift in the independence struggle. It united Indians across class and regional lines, intensifying the demand for freedom and making it clear that British rule in India was nearing its end.