Quit India Movement (Bharat Chhodo)- General Knowledge of Modern India
In April 1942, about four months after the failure of the Cripps Mission, the third mass movement of Indians for independence began. This came to be known as Quit India Movement. A resolution was passed in the meeting of the All India Congress Committee held in Bombay on 8 August 1942. In this resolution it was declared that now the immediate end of British rule in India has become very necessary for the establishment of independence and democracy in India, for which the countries of the United Nations are fighting the fascist Germany, Italy and Japan. This proposal was brought for the end of British rule from India. It said that once independent, India would join the war with all its resources on behalf of the countries fighting against the fascist and imperialist forces.
Read More History: Government of India Act 1935 - General Knowledge of Modern India
Do Or Die
In this resolution, approval was given to start a mass movement based on non-violence for the independence of the country. After the passage of this resolution, Gandhi said that there is a small mantra which I give you. Mark it in your heart and express it in every breath you take. This mantra is - "Do or die". In this endeavor of ours, we will either get freedom or we will die. During the Quit India Movement, 'Quit India' and 'Do or Die' became the slogans of the Indian people.
Most Of The Leaders Arrested
On the morning of 9 August 1942, most of the Congress leaders were arrested and imprisoned in different parts of the country as well as the Congress was banned. Strikes and demonstrations were organized in every part of the country. Firing, lathi charge and arrests were carried out by the government all over the country. The anger of the people had also turned into violent activities. People attacked government properties, uprooted railway tracks and disturbed the postal and telegraph system. There were also conflicts between the police and the public at many places. The government banned the publication of news related to the movement. Many newspapers thought it better to shut themselves down rather than accept these restrictions..
Many People Got Shot
By the end of 1942, about 60,000 people were imprisoned and several thousand were killed. Women and children were among those killed. Matangini Hazra, 73, in Tamluk, Bengal, 13-year-old Kanaklata Barua in Assam's Gohpur, seven young students in Bihar's Patna and hundreds of others were shot dead while participating in the protest.
Some parts of the country freed from British rule
Many parts of the country like Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Tamluk in Bengal, Satara in Maharashtra, Dharwad in Karnataka and Talcher and Balasore in Orissa became free from British rule and the people there formed their own government. Jai Prakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, SM Joshi, Ram Manohar Lohia and many other leaders organized revolutionary activities during almost the entire war period.
Famine
The years of war were days of terrible struggle for the people. Apart from the poverty created by the suppression of the British army and police, there was a severe famine in Bengal in which about three million people died. The government showed little interest in providing relief to the starving people.
Tags
Modern India