Quit India Movement: History, significance and interesting facts

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 Gandhiji. The British government implemented violent means in return to control the protests. Meanwhile, over 10,000 people were killed during the movement.

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. It initiated the widespread civil disobedience, acts of deviances and non-cooperation against British authorities. Though the movement did not achieve the intended objective, but had a significant effect on the course of India’s freedom struggle.

 Mahatma Gandhi gave the iconic slogan “Do or Die” in his speech during the Bharat Chodo Andolan.

“Quit India” was coined by Yusuf Meher Ali who was also a freedom fighter and served as Mumbai’s Mayor.

During the movement, parallel governments were set up in Ballia (Uttar Pradesh), Satara (Maharashtra), Tamluk (West Bengal), and Talcher (Odisha).

The protestors demolished governmental structures and damaged railway tracks in many places.

Numerous arrests were made following the protest. Many top leaders of Congress, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, were also arrested.

 By the end of the year 1942, over 60,000 were imprisoned and hundreds of people died.