• Dr. Anju Gurawa

Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi knew quite well what was best for the people of this country. Before the date of the movement announced 8th August, 1942, Gandhi ji knew the course of events and further conflict, that is why the AICC in its last message to the country noted, “As the extent of arrests was greater than anyone in the Congress had anticipated, this adjuration was not without value: it ensured that the movement would continue despite the savaging of the organization. On the other hand, telling every man and woman to be his or her own guide was inherently faulty, since Congress cadres were not habituated to act so individually, and precise directives from above had been a key feature of past Congress satyagraha movements. The August 8 resolution, as quoted, had promised that ‘general instructions’ would follow, but in fact the CWC had no time to prepare and issue.”

Why did the movement turn violent? Positioned every single individual as the self-guided sepoy and with this belief and confidence, country people took fight with the mighty British rule but it was peaceful until one of the British officials raised baseless allegations against the Congress. It fueled the fire and the peaceful movement turned violent. Total control on the press was declared by the British government and on 9thAugust, 1942 and the crackdown on free speech was imposed. The hero of the move, Gandhi, also directed people for “Do or Die”.

The ‘Quit India Movement’ made the August month from 9th August to end of September as ‘Jail bharo’ Month. 17 English and 67 vernacular papers around the country were banned. After the arrest of 9 August 1942 detention of Gandhi and other Congress leaders, questions were raised and then the Secretary of the state for India made a public statement which made the whole movement a blood movement.

The Quit India Movement saw some of the most gruesome assault on women and the paper Biplab which was banned and all its machinery was controlled by the British Hukumat, still managed to publish the reports, although no actions were taken against the culprits but the deeds are registered as the shame on the British Government (who is the face of democracy in the present times and could be so ruthless and inhuman in the past).

The Quit India Movement finally made Britishers realize their final days in India and the sacrifice of the commoners and leadership of the Congress Party made it possible to achieve the total independence. Thus proved ‘Quit India Movement’ was the last nail in the coffin of the British rule in India.

The author is a Professor, Department of English, University of Delhi.