QUES . What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results. 150 words. 10 marks. UPSC MAINS 2024 GS PAPER I
HINTS:
The Quit India Movement of 1942 was a major political movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, calling for an immediate end to British colonial rule in India. The movement was officially launched on August 8, 1942, with a speech by Gandhi in Bombay, in which he called on the British government to “Quit India” and to transfer power to the Indian people.
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The Quit India Movement was launched in response to the growing dissatisfaction among Indians with British rule, as well as the increasing difficulties faced by the Indian people as a result of World War II.
What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement?
There were many causes that that led to Quit India Movement:
The failure of the Cripps Mission
֎The Cripps Mission was a failed attempt by the British government to win Indian support for the war effort. The mission offered India dominion status after the war, but this was not enough for the Indian National Congress, which demanded full independence.
֎The failure of the Cripps Mission to solve the constitutional deadlock exposed Britain’s unchanged attitude on constitutional advance and made it clear that any more silence would be tantamount to accepting the British right to decide the fate of Indians without consulting them.
The Indian involvement in World War II
֎Indian soldiers were forced to fight for a British war that had no relation with them.
֎Many Indians also saw this war as an opportunity to weaken the British Empire and move forward with the fight for Indian independence.
֎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.
Reverses suffered by the British in World War II
֎News of reverses suffered by the British in South East Asia and an imminent British collapse enhanced popular willingness to give expression to discontent. Discontent was also because of rising prices and shortage of rice, salt, etc., and because of factors such as commandeering of boats in Bengal and Orissa to prevent being used by the Japanese.
֎The Japanese troops were approaching the borders of India.
֎There were fears of Britain following a scorched earth policy in Assam, Bengal, and Orissa against possible Japanese advance.
֎Moreover, the rout of a European power by an Asian power shattered the white prestige.
֎Popular faith in the stability of British rule was so low that people were withdrawing deposits from banks and post offices.
֎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.
The policies and attitude of the British government
֎The British government was very repressive in handling the Indian independence movement. This was the reason for the growing sense of anger and frustration among the Indian people.
֎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.
֎The British support to the demand of Pakistan by the Muslim League was making the Indian nationalists (particularly Gandhi) very angry.
֎The British attitude towards Indian subjects also exposed the racial discrimination policy of the British.
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.
֎Growing nationalist sentiments inspired by leaders like Gandhi and Nehru fueled the demand for independence.
֎The success of anti-colonial movements around the world also inspired Indian nationalism. Moreover, the leadership wanted to condition the masses for a possible Japanese invasion.
Thus, 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.
Results of the Quit India Movement 1942
֎One of the important achievements of the movement was keeping the Congress party united through all the trials and tribulations that followed. The British, responded by imprisoning Gandhi and all the members of the Party’s Working Committee (national leadership). Later the Congress party was banned.
֎Despite lack of direct leadership, large protests and demonstrations were held all over the country. The general public attacked symbols of authority and hoisted national flags forcibly on public buildings. Satyagrahis offered themselves up to arrest, bridges were blown up, railway tracks were removed, and telegraph lines were cut.
Must read: Quit India Movement – Causes and Nature
֎Parallel governments were established at many places Ballia, Tamluk, Satara, etc..
֎Although the movement did not immediately achieve independence, it set the tone for subsequent protests, including the public response during the INA Trials, and created momentum contributing to India’s eventual independence.
֎The movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agenda of the national movement. After Quit India, there could be no retreat.
֎While it did not force an immediate British exit, the movement weakened their authority and control. Loyalty to government suffered considerable erosion. This also showed how deep nationalism had reached.
֎The Movement fostered a strong sense of national unity, bringing together diverse groups across India in the fight for independence.
֎The movement established the truth that it was no longer possible to rule India without the wishes of Indians.
֎The movement also saw the rise of new leaders like Aruna Asaf Ali.
֎There was an increased international pressure on the British government to address India’s demand for independence.
Thus, the movement set the stage for further negotiations and discussions between the Indian National Congress and the British government after World War II, ultimately leading to India’s independence in 1947. The Quit India Movement is remembered as a symbol of India’s unwavering commitment to achieving self-rule through nonviolent means and as a defining moment in the country’s history.
