Quit India Movement Day 2025: 83th Anniversary of August Kranti

August 8, 2025, marks the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Movement, also known as the August Kranti. Launched in 1942 by the Indian National Congress and led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement was a major push to end British rule with the powerful call of “Do or Die.”

• Relevant for UPSC Prelims Current Affairs.
• Relevant for Mains GS Paper I (Modern History).
• Important for Essay and Interview.

The Quit India Movement was a mass civil disobedience movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, during World War II, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India.

• Gandhi ji gave his famous "Do or Die" speech, which became the rallying cry for millions of Indians.
• "Quit India": The main slogan demanding British withdrawal, coined by Yusuf Meherally, the Mayor of Bombay (also known for coining the slogan “Simon Go Back”).
• Usha Mehta organized underground radio broadcasts to keep the movement alive.

The Quit India Movement began as growing frustration among Indians reached a tipping point. Despite being asked to support Britain in World War II, Indians were denied any promise of independence. This led to a nationwide call to end British rule once and for all.

1. Failure of the Cripps Mission (1942)

The immediate trigger for the Quit India Movement was the complete failure of the Cripps Mission in March 1942.

• Churchill sent Sir Stafford Cripps to offer Dominion Status after the war, but without immediate independence, it was seen as “too little, too late .”
• Gandhi called the Cripps offer a “post-dated cheque” as it gave only future promises; both Congress and the Muslim League rejected it.

2. India's Forced Participation in World War II

• In 1939, British Viceroy Linlithgow put India into WWII without asking Indian leaders, angering people who fought abroad but lacked freedom at home..

3. Economic Hardships and War-time Difficulties

• The Bengal Famine of 1943 (which killed 3 million people) was caused by British wartime policies that prioritized military needs over civilian survival.
• Heavy taxation and forced contributions to war funds drained the country's resources.

4. Failure of Previous Negotiations

• Congress had already rejected the August Offer of 1940 because it only promised Dominion Status, not complete independence.
• The British government's rigid "take it or leave it" approach in all negotiations frustrated Indian leaders.

5. Growing Nationalist Sentiment

• By 1942, nationalist feelings were at their peak among the Indian population.
• Indians had already experienced self-governance during the Congress rule in provinces from 1937 to 1939.
• The Kisan Sabha movements and other local struggles had prepared people for mass resistance.

All these factors built up over time, leaving Indians with no choice but to launch the Quit India Movement as a final push for freedom after years of exploitation and broken promises.

Also read: PM Modi at Gangaikonda Cholapuram: Understanding the Chola Legacy of Bharat

The Quit India Movement happened in three clear phases, each showing different levels of resistance and organization as the British tried to stop the fight for freedom.

Phase 1: Urban Revolt (August 1942)

• Started immediately after Gandhi's arrest on August 9, 1942.
• Mainly concentrated in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, and Madras.
• Involved strikes, boycotts, and peaceful picketing of government offices.

Phase 2: Rural Rebellion (Mid-August to September 1942)

• The movement shifted from cities to the countryside when urban protests were crushed.
• Witnessed major peasant uprisings, especially in Bihar, Eastern UP, Bengal, and Maharashtra.
• People targeted symbols of British authority - railway stations, telegraph lines, post offices, and government buildings.

Phase 3: Underground Activities and Parallel Governments (September 1942 onwards)

• Also called the "Karnataka Method" due to guerrilla-style resistance.
• Underground leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Aruna Asaf Ali organized secret activities.
• Formation of parallel or "national governments" in isolated areas like Ballia (UP), Tamluk (Bengal), and Satara (Maharashtra).

Each phase showed the determination of Indians to achieve freedom, with ordinary people taking charge when leaders were imprisoned.

The Quit India Movement had both achievements and setbacks in India’s fight for freedom. Let’s understand.

Impact

• Mass Mobilization: Millions joined, factories shut down during the August 9, 1942 hartal in Bombay and Calcutta.
• New Leaders Emerged: Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia led the underground resistance.
• Women’s Role: Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag; Usha Mehta ran the Secret Congress Radio.
• British Authority Weakened: Rail tracks uprooted, telegraph lines cut, especially in Bengal.
• Push for Self-Rule: A Parallel government was briefly formed in Ballia, showing readiness for independence.

Limitations

• Leadership Vacuum: With Gandhi imprisoned at Aga Khan Palace and Nehru jailed in Ahmednagar Fort, many local agitations lacked strategic direction.
• Limited Support: The Muslim League’s boycott and the CPI’s initial cooperation with the British limited pan-Indian political unity.
• Severe Repression: Over 100,000 arrests and incidents like the shooting of student Kanaklata Barua in Assam crushed many protests.

Quit India Movement Day is a significant event in India’s history because it shows how the whole country came together to fight for freedom and never gave up against British rule.

• The last big struggle before India gained freedom in 1947.
• Showed how all Indians united for complete independence.
• Teaches young people about India’s fight for democracy and the sacrifices made.
• Reminds us that non-violent protest can bring change.
• Celebrates the unity of people from different backgrounds during the movement..
• Highlights women’s important role, like Aruna Asaf Ali.
• Proved Indians were ready to sacrifice everything for freedom.

Also read: Startling discovery: Harappan Civilization's age was unveiled at 7000-8000 years!

Today, Quit India Movement Day serves as a reminder of the power of unified resistance and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs. The historic Gowalia Tank Maidan has been renamed August Kranti Maidan to commemorate this pivotal moment in Indian history. The movement showcased several enduring values:

• Non-violent resistance as a tool for political change.
• Mass participation in democratic movements.
• Unity across social and economic divisions.
• Determination in the face of oppression.

The day reinforces the values of patriotism, self-determination, and collective action that continue to inspire generations of Indians in their ongoing journey toward a more just and equitable society.

The Quit India Movement deeply shook the foundations of British rule, inspired nationwide unity, and accelerated India’s journey towards independence..

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