Question

Describe the causes and events of the Quit India Movement.

Answer 1

1. Causes: The Quit India Movement got its start for various reasons. Here are a few examples:
   1. Failure of the Cripps Mission: The Cripps Mission's failure was the direct cause of the Quit India Movement. Sir Stafford Cripps, a minister sent by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, travelled to India to try to reach a compromise with Gandhiji and the Congress. However, it ultimately failed because it divided India into two distinct nations rather than giving it complete freedom.
   2. Involvement of India in World War II: Without the leaders of the Congress receiving any input, India entered the Second World War. The Congress rejected the British assumption that they received unrestricted support from India during World War II. This developed into one of the primary factors behind the Quit India Movement.
   3. Prevalence of Anti-British Sentiment: The Indians demanded total independence from British rule because they had grown to harbour anti-British feelings. The general populace was becoming increasingly supportive of this Indian nationalist viewpoint.
2. Events: Three stages made up the Quit India Movement. The following were:
   1. First Phase: On August 8, 1942, the Quit India Movement was established. During the initial phase, there were strikes and protests nationwide. Gandhiji and other well-known Congressmen were detained. The underground movement was started by socialist Congress members like J.P. Narayan, Sucheta Kriplani, Aruna Asaf Ali, Biju Patnaik, Ram Manohar Lohia, etc. after prominent leaders were arrested.
   2. Second Phase: Numerous peasant uprisings that targeted government structures or any other overt display of colonial authority during the second phase of the movement destroyed communication infrastructure, including railway stations, tracks, telegraph wire and poles.
   3. Third Phase: In the movement's third and final phase, national and parallel governments were established in safe places like Tamluk, Satara, Ballia, etc. The British government responded to the Quit India Movement by detaining prominent political figures and ending the demonstrations. Despite this, the movement is regarded as a turning point in India's independence struggle because it showed how strong the Indian independence movement remained.