History · Spectrum Books A Brief History of Modern India
Chapter 23 : Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA
Table of contents35 sections
- 1.Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA
- 2.Quit India Movement
- 3.Why Start a Struggle Now
- 4.The 'Quit India' Resolution
- 5.Gandhi's General Instructions to Different Sections
- 6.Spread of the Movement
- 7.Government Repression
- 8.Estimate
- 9.Gandhi Fasts
- 10.Famine of 1943
- 11.Key Terms
- 12.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 13.Rajagopalachari Formula
- 14.The Formula
- 15.Objections
- 16.Key Terms
- 17.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 18.Desai-Liaqat Pact
- 19.Key Terms
- 20.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 21.Wavell Plan
- 22.Why the Government was Keen on a Solution Now
- 23.The Plan
- 24.Muslim League's Stand
- 25.Congress' Stand
- 26.Wavell's Mistake
- 27.Key Terms
- 28.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 29.The Indian National Army and Subhas Bose
- 30.Escape and Freedom Army
- 31.Origin and First Phase of the Indian National Army
- 32.Second Phase of the Indian National Army
- 33.Key Terms
- 34.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 35.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA
Quit India Movement
Following the failure of the Cripps Mission, various groups were impatient to carry forward the freedom struggle. After Cripps' departure, Gandhi framed a resolution calling for British withdrawal and a non-violent non-cooperation movement against any Japanese invasion. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting at Wardha (July 14, 1942) accepted the idea of a struggle.
Why Start a Struggle Now
The leadership decided to launch the movement due to several reasons:
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Deadlock | The failure of the Cripps Mission exposed Britain's unchanged attitude; silence would mean accepting the British right to decide India's fate without consultation. |
| Popular Discontent | Rising prices, shortage of rice and salt, and the commandeering of boats in Bengal and Orissa. |
| Scorched Earth Fears | Fears of Britain following a scorched earth policy in Assam, Bengal, and Orissa against possible Japanese advance. |
| Imminent British Collapse | News of British reverses in South-East Asia; Japanese troops were approaching Indian borders. Public faith in British stability was so low that people withdrew deposits from banks and post offices. |
| Racist British Evacuation | British evacuated South-East Asia leaving subjects to their fate (Black Road for Indian refugees, White Road exclusively for European refugees). The rout of a European power by an Asian power shattered white prestige. |
| Conditioning the Masses | The leadership wanted to prepare the masses for a possible Japanese invasion. |
The 'Quit India' Resolution
In July 1942, the Congress Working Committee met at Wardha and resolved to authorise Gandhi to take charge of the non-violent mass movement.
- Proposed by: Jawaharlal Nehru
- Seconded by: Sardar Patel
- Ratification: Ratified at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting at Gowalia Tank, Bombay, on August 8, 1942.
- Leader: Gandhi was named the leader of the struggle.
- Slogan: Bharat Chhodo (Quit India) was coined by freedom fighter Yusuf Mehar Ali and approved by Gandhi.
Resolutions passed at Gowalia Tank:
- Demand an immediate end to British rule in India.
- Declare commitment of free India to defend itself against all types of fascism and imperialism.
- Form a provisional Government…
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