Quit India Movement: August Kranti
Why in News?
The 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement was observed on 8–9 August 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters and stated that the movement’s “Do or Die” call infused new energy into India’s struggle for independence.
Historical Background
The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement or August Kranti, was launched by the Indian National Congress in 1942 against British rule.
- The Congress Working Committee adopted the Quit India proposal at Wardha on 14 July 1942.
- The All India Congress Committee approved the resolution in Bombay on 8 August 1942.
- Mahatma Gandhi gave the historic call of “Do or Die” at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, now called August Kranti Maidan.
- The immediate demand was the withdrawal of British rule from India.
- Congress leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Maulana Azad, were arrested on 9 August 1942, triggering mass protests across India.
Causes
- Failure of the Cripps Mission to offer a satisfactory constitutional settlement.
- British use of Indian resources and soldiers in World War II without Indian consent.
- Growing popular discontent due to wartime inflation, shortages and economic hardship.
- Frustration with the absence of a clear commitment to Indian independence.
- Japanese advances in Southeast Asia created a serious security situation and intensified demands for an Indian-led government.
Course and Features
The movement began as a proposed mass, non-violent struggle, but the immediate arrest of national leaders resulted in decentralised and sometimes militant resistance.
The movement began as a proposed mass, non-violent struggle, but the immediate arrest of national leaders resulted in decentralised and sometimes militant resistance.
- Students, workers, peasants and women participated in strikes, demonstrations and sabotage of colonial infrastructure.
- Underground networks were organised by leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali and Usha Mehta.
- Usha Mehta operated the underground Congress Radio.
- Parallel governments emerged in places such as Ballia, Tamluk and Satara.
- Aruna Asaf Ali became associated with hoisting the national flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan after the arrest of major Congress leaders.
- The slogan “Quit India” is generally associated with socialist leader and trade unionist Yusuf Meherally.
Significance
The movement was suppressed through arrests, censorship and force; by the end of 1943, approximately 60,000 people had been arrested and at least 1,000 Indians had reportedly died.
Despite its suppression, the movement:
- Demonstrated the mass character of Indian nationalism.
- Made the continuation of British rule politically and administratively difficult.
- Strengthened the demand for complete independence.
- Prepared the ground for the eventual transfer of power in 1947.
- Highlighted the role of ordinary citizens and underground resistance in the freedom struggle.
