Quit India Movement

 Okay, here are the notes summarizing the lecture on the Quit India Movement:

Topic: Quit India Movement (QIM) - క్విట్ ఇండియా ఉద్యమం (1942-1944)

Context:

Followed the complete failure of the Cripps Mission (1942), which was rejected by all major Indian parties.

Reasons for Launching QIM:

Failure of Cripps Mission: No satisfactory offer for Indian independence or immediate power transfer.

Japanese Threat (WWII): Japan was rapidly advancing in Asia ("Asia for Asians" slogan), conquering British territories like Burma, Malaya, Thailand. Fear that British presence in India invited Japanese invasion. Invasion of China (killing 2 lakh) increased fear.

Economic Hardship & Public Unrest: WWII caused severe inflation, scarcity of essential goods (like rice), and widespread poverty, leading to public dissatisfaction and readiness for a mass movement (ashanthi).

Gandhi's Change of Stance: In 1940 (after August Offer failure), Gandhi opted for Individual Satyagraha, feeling the situation wasn't right for a mass movement. By 1942, the above factors convinced him the time was ripe.

Resolution and Launch:

Congress Working Committee (CWC) Meeting (Wardha): Passed the initial Quit India resolution. (Gandhi was based in Wardha Ashram after his 1930 vow not to return to Sabarmati until Purna Swaraj).

Opposition: C. Rajagopalachari (Gandhi's "conscience keeper") opposed the resolution, resigned from Congress, and formed the Swatantra Party.

AICC Meeting (Bombay, August 8, 1942): Held at Gowalia Tank Maidan (later renamed Kranti Maidan - Revolution Ground). The Wardha resolution was ratified.

Gandhi's Speech & Slogan: Gandhi gave the famous call "Do or Die" (Karo ya Maro) - meaning achieve freedom or die trying. Urged people to imprint the mantra on their hearts.

Movement Launch: Officially started on August 9, 1942. Known as August Kranti (August Revolution).

Nature of the Movement:

Leaderless & Directionless: British arrested Gandhi and all top INC leaders overnight on August 9th. INC declared illegal.

Spontaneous & Widespread: Despite arrests, the movement erupted spontaneously across India.

Violent: Highest level of violence compared to NCM & CDM. Attacks on government symbols:

Burning police stations (Thana Jalao).

Damaging railway stations/tracks (Station Phunk Do).

Cutting telegraph lines.

Digging up roads.

Student Slogans: Thana Jalao, Station Phunk Do, Angrez Bhag Gaya (The English have fled).

Public on Rampage: Widespread uncontrolled actions.

Sumit Sarkar's View: Called "Do or Die" Gandhi's "militant mood," suggesting a shift towards violence.

Key Participants & Activities:

Students: Extremely active, especially from BHU (Banaras Hindu University), and in Bihar & UP.

Underground Activities: Significant role played by:

Congress Socialist Party (CSP): (Formed 1934) Leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), Acharya Narendra Dev.

Forward Bloc: (Subhas Chandra Bose's party, formed 1940) Participated actively. Netaji was in Berlin, broadcasted support via radio.

Women Leaders:

Usha Mehta: Ran a secret Congress Radio in Bombay.

Aruna Asaf Ali: Hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan after leaders' arrest, published Inquilab (Revolution) newspaper.

Matangini Hazra (Bengal)

Kanaklata Barua (Assam)

Rama Devi (Orissa) - These three names from NCERT.

Parallel Governments (Samantar Sarkar / Prati Sarkar): Established by Peasants in several areas:

Ballia (UP): Led by Chittu Pandey. (Collector briefly handed power, Congress leaders released).

Tamluk, Midnapore (Bengal): Led by Vidyut Vahini Sena (organisation); established Jatiya Sarkar (National Government).

Satara (Maharashtra): Led by Y.B. Chavan and Nana Patil; established Prati Sarkar. (Longest lasting parallel govt).

Tribals: Participation mentioned, specifically Veer Lakhan Nayak (hanged by British). His last words (apocryphal/mentioned): "Sad that I die without seeing Freedom's Dawn" (Swatantra Ushodayam).

Stance of Other Parties:

Muslim League (ML): Did not participate. Demanded "Divide and Quit". Feared Hindu dominance, cited Pirpur Committee Report.

Hindu Mahasabha (HM): Did not participate.

Communist Party of India (CPI): Initially supported QIM (calling WWII an "Imperialist War"). Changed stance after Germany attacked the USSR, calling it a "People's War" (Prajayuddham) and supported the British war effort. Lost public credibility.

Forward Bloc: Participated.

British Government Response:

Severe Repression: Most intense since 1857 revolt (as noted by Viceroy Linlithgow).

Mass arrests (over 1 Lakh), lathi charges, firing.

Bombing from Aeroplanes: Used for the first time against the movement.

Gandhi's Fast: Undertook a 21-day fast in Aga Khan Palace (Pune) protesting the violence/repression.

Resignations: 3 Indian members of Viceroy's Executive Council resigned in protest: Aney, Sarkar, Mody.

Ambedkar: Joined the Executive Council as Labour Minister after the resignations.

Evaluation & Significance:

Final Mass Movement: The last major popular uprising before independence.

Participants: Students, Women, Peasants, Tribals, CSP, Forward Bloc.

Casualties/Arrests: ~1000 killed, over 1 lakh arrested.

Impact: Showcased the depth of anti-British sentiment and determination for freedom. Severely strained British administration.

Shift in Leadership: Marked a decline in Gandhi's undisputed command over the movement and the rise of leaders like Nehru and Sardar Patel. Gandhi acknowledges Nehru as his successor after Cripps Mission failure.