Quit India Movement: Date, history, significance, here is all you need to know

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Quit India Movement, also known as the "Bharat Chodo Andolan", was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 9, 1942.

On this date, the Bharat Chhodo Andolan, also referred to as the Quit India campaign, got underway. Mahatma Gandhi served as the chairman of the All India Congress Committee, which decided to start the movement at the Bombay session.

The Quit India Movement was an important milestone in the Indian freedom struggle. Under the leadership of Gandhi, people across India came together to uproot imperialism.

On this day in 1942, Gandhi gave the clarion call of "Do or Die" to all Indians to drive away Britishers from the country. The movement had begun from Gawalia Tank in Mumbai. The day is observed as August Kranti Day every year.

Quit India Day was a defining moment in the history of India's freedom struggle. The day is also an occasion to pay tribute to the freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives for independence of the country.

Quit India Movement: History

During World War II, the British empire, which was a part of the allied forces, wanted to utilise Indian resources and manpower in the war. Later a member of the war cabinet, Stafford Cripps was sent to India to get cooperation in the war, while several protests were already triggered in the country.

Following the defeat of the Cripps Mission, the resolution of the Quit India movement was adopted at the Mumbai session. In accordance with this decision, the Bharat Chhodo Andolan signalled the start of a significant nonviolent mass movement for the country's independence.

However, the financial condition of the country was not stable enough. Once Cripps met the Indian National Congress leaders and drafted the declaration, Congress refused to discuss and rather demanded complete freedom.

The Quit India Movement was then launched, however, the movement led to numerous arrests of Congress leaders including Mahatma Gandhi.

Quit India Movement: Significance

The Quit India Movement played a crucial role in India's struggle for Independence and also represents a turning point in the nation's history. Though the movement did not achieve the intended objective, but had a significant effect on the course of India's freedom struggle.