MAHATMA GANDHI & THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT

The period from the beginning of the First World War and after the War was marked by
many hardships for the common people in India. This was largely because the War led to
an enormous increase in defence expenditure that had to be maintained through war
loans and increase in taxes. The common man had to pay increased custom duties and
income tax. The prices of goods doubled between 1913 and 1918.

Besides, in 1918-19 and 1920-21, crops failed in many parts of India and caused acute
shortage of food. The outbreak of influenza pandemic between 1918 and 1920 which
killed about 18 million people in India further increased the problems of the masses.

Amidst all these problems, there emerged a new leader on the horizon, which gave a new
hope to the struggling masses. He was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly
known as Bapu or Mahatma Gandhi, who completely dominated the Indian
National Movement from 1915 to 1948. That is why, this period is known as the
Gandhian era in Indian history.

EARLY LIFE

Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 at repealed most of the unjust acts against
Porbandar in the Kathiawad district of the Indians. Thus, it was during this
Gujarat. His father was the Diwan of struggle that Mahatma Gandhi evolved
Rajkot State. In 1888, he went to England the technique of satyagraha (non-violent
to study Law. On completing his studies, resistance) based on truth and non-
he came back to India and started violence.
practising Law at Rajkot. From 1893 to
1914, he practised Law in South Africa. Gandhiji returned to India in January 1915
and spent the next four years in studying
In South Africa, on a journey by train from the Indian situation. During the course of
Durban to Pretoria, he was forcibly thrown 1917 and early 1918 he was involved in
out of a first-class compartment, even three significant struggles-in Champaran
though he had a valid ticket. Gandhiji was (Bihar), in Ahmedabad and in Kheda
hurt by the racial injustice and (Gujarat).
discrimination to which Indians had to
submit in South Africa. Champaran Satyagraha (1917):
Gandhiji's first great experiment in
Indians could not travel with the Satyagraha was accomplished in 1917 in
Europeans and were not allowed to enter Champaran, Bihar. The indigo cultivators
the hotels and clubs meant for the of Champaran were greatly exploited by
Europeans. European planters.

Gandhiji soon became the leader of the They were bound by law to grow indigo
struggle for justice in South Africa. During on 3/20th (the tinkathia system) of
1893-1914 he was engaged in a heroic their land and sell it to the British
struggle against the racist authorities in planters at prices fixed by them. They
South Africa. He formed the Natal Indian invited Gandhiji to take up their cause but
Congress and suffered imprisonment. the district authorities banned his entry to
the district.
He started his non- violent civil
disobedience movement to protest He offered satyagraha as a result of which
against the discriminating treatment an inquiry was conducted into the
meted out to the Indians. conditions of the peasants. This helped in
giving the indigo cultivators some relief.
The South African government had to
listen to the voice of reason and in 1914

NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT
During the First World War, the Congress cooperated with the British. Even Gandhiji urged
the Gujarati peasants to join the army, if they wanted to win Swaraj. But the events of
1919 like the Khilafat wrongs, passing of the Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy
greatly disillusioned Gandhiji.

He turned from a cooperator to a non-cooperator and decided to start the Non-

Cooperation Movement. Non- cooperation is 'a way of protesting in which one does not
cooperate with the evil-doer. Gandhiji asked the people not to assist the foreign
government to rule over them. Gandhiji said, Non-Cooperation with evil is as much a duty
as is cooperation with good."

CAUSES THAT LED TO THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT

1. Rowlatt Act: On receiving a report from the Sedition Committee headed by Justice
Rowlatt, two Bills were introduced in the Central Legislature in February, 1919.

The purpose of the Bills was to curb the growing upsurge in the country. In spite of
opposition from the Indians, the Rowlatt Act was passed in March, 1919. This Act
authorised the Government to imprison any person without trial and convict him in a
court.

The Rowlatt Act implied:

(i) Arrest of a person without warrant.

(ii) In camera trial (trial in seclusion).

(iii) Restrictions on movements of individuals.

(iv) Suspension of the Right of Habeas Corpus.

The Act came like a sudden blow to the Indians who were expecting self-governance.
Gandhiji appealed to the Viceroy to withhold his consent to such measures. However, his
appeal was ignored. He started 'Satyagraha as a challenge to the government.

The Rowlatt Satyagraha emerged as the first all India struggle against the British
government. However, it was largely confined to cities only. In April 1919, there occurred
a number of demonstrations and strikes in the country.

The British government took brutal measures to suppress this anti-British struggle.

In fact, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on the orders of General Dyer in Amritsar on April
13, 1919 was a part of this repression.

However, an important feature of the Rowlatt Satyagraha was Hindu-Muslim unity.

This was the call given by Mahatma Gandhi, who always saw a unified India belonging to
the people of all religions - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis.
He wanted that Hindus and Muslims should support each other in any just cause.

2. Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy: A large but peaceful crowd gathered at the Jallianwala
Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, to protest against the arrest of leaders like Dr.
Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satya Pal.

Jallianwala Bagh had only one exit, its other three sides were enclosed by buildings.

General Dyer, the military Commander of Amritsar surrounded the Bagh (garden) with his
soldiers.

After closing the exit with his troops, he ordered them to shoot at the crowd.
The troops kept on firing till their ammunition was exhausted. About one thousand
innocent demonstrators were killed and many more wounded.

The conscience of the nation was shaken at the massacre of innocent people.

On learning about this gruesome massacre, Rabindranath Tagore expressed the pain and
anger of the country by renouncing his Knighthood, i.e., giving up the honour granted by
the British Crown for exceptional personal achievement or public service.

After the massacre, the British government made a half-hearted attempt at constitutional
reform. But it also made it clear that it had no intention of parting with political power or
sharing it with Indians.

The British government also refused to annul the Rowlatt Act and make amends for the
atrocities in Punjab.

3. Khilafat Movement: In the First World War Turkey was defeated and the Ottoman
Empire was divided. The Sultan of Turkey, who was the Caliph was deprived of all
authority. The Caliph was looked upon by large sections of Muslims as their religious
head.

They felt that any weakening of the Caliph's position would adversely affect the position
of the Muslims. In the First World War, the British fought against Turkey.

The Muslim population in India started a powerful agitation known as the Khilafat
Movement, under the leadership of the Ali Brothers- Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali,
Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan and Hasrat Mohani.

The Khilafatists formed a three-point programme:

(a) the Ottoman Caliph should retain his empire;

(b) the Caliph must be left with sufficient territory to enable him to defend the
Islamic faith;

(c) the Arab lands (Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Palestine) must remain under the Muslim
rule. 'Khilafat Day' was observed on October 17, 1919 on an all-India scale.

Gandhiji saw in the Khilafat Movement an opportunity for uniting Hindus and Muslims.

He said that the Congress plea for Hindu-Muslim unity "would be an empty phrase if the
Hindus hold aloof from the Muslims when their vital interests are at stake".

Mahatma Gandhi was elected as President of the All-India Khilafat Conference in

November 1919.

He advised the Khilafat Committee to adopt a policy of Non-Cooperation with the

Government.

By August 31, 1920, the Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement started. People resigned
from government services; shops selling foreign goods were picketed; students boycotted
schools and colleges; and 'hartals' and demonstrations were held.

By the end of 1920, the Khilafat Movement and the Congress Non-Cooperation Movement
merged into one nationwide movement.

In 1921, the Khilafat Committee appealed to all the Muslims not to join the police and
armed forces and not to pay taxes.

This enraged the government. The Ali Brothers were arrested on charges of sedition.
OBJECTIVES OF THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT

At a special session of the Congress held (i) To attain self-government within the
at Kolkata in September 1920 a special British Empire if possible and outside if
resolution was adopted accepting Non- necessary.
Cooperation Movement as the only option
left open for the people of India. (ii) Annulment of the Rowlatt Act and
remedying the Punjab wrong', i.e., the
The regular session of the Congress at British Government should express its
Nagpur in December, 1920 ratified this regret on the happenings in Punjab,
resolution. particularly in Amritsar.

The Non-Cooperation Movement (iii) Remedying the Khilafat wrong', i.e.,

sought to achieve the following the British should adopt a lenient attitude
objectives: towards Turkey, and restore the old status
of the Sultan of Turkey.

PROGRAMMES

The movement included the following programmes:

Boycott programmes Swadeshi programmes

• Boycott of government schools, colleges • Popularisation of Swadeshi and Khadi by

and courts. reviving hand-spinning and hand-weaving.

• Boycott of foreign goods. • Establishment of national schools and

colleges and private arbitration courts
• Boycott of elections to be held for the known as panchayats all over India.
Councils as suggested by the reforms of
1919. • Development of unity between Hindus
and Muslims.
• Resignation from nominated seats in
local bodies. • Removal of untouchability and other
measures for Harijan welfare.
• Surrender of titles and honorary offices.
• Emancipation and upliftment of women.
• Refusal to attend government functions.

SUSPENSION OF THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT

Chauri Chaura: The tragedy at Chauri policemen who were inside the police
Chaura, a village in Gorakhpur district in station.
Uttar Pradesh, occurred on February 5,
1922. There were a few violent incidents in other
parts of the country. Gandhiji, a believer in
A procession of about 3,000 peasants 'Ahimsa' was greatly shocked at these
marched to the police station to protest incidents and he withdrew the Non-
against the police officer who had beaten Cooperation Movement on February 12,
some volunteers picketing a liquor shop. 1922.

The police fired at the peasants. This This action of Gandhiji of suspending the
infuriated the demonstrators and they set agitation was severely criticised by
the nearby police station on fire, killing 22 leaders like Motilal Nehru and Lala Lajpat
Rai. Subhas Chandra Bose called it a
national calamity. Gandhiji assured to pay attention to the constructive
Jawaharlal Nehru, "If the thing had not programmes, i.e., removal of
been suspended, we would have been untouchability, Hindu-Muslim unity and
leading not a non-violent struggle. The the popularisation of Swadeshi and khadi.
cause will prosper by this retreat."
Nevertheless, everybody respected his Gandhiji was arrested for propagating
decision in view of the great personal sedition on March 10, 1922. He was
influence of Gandhiji. sentenced to six years' imprisonment.
Gandhiji was released after two years
Gandhiji suspended the law-breaking part because of his ill health.
of the movement and asked Congressmen

IMPACT OF THE NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT

The movement failed to achieve any of its they had set up, was born a new sense of
three main demands, namely: self- confidence and self-esteem."

(i) obtaining Swaraj; 3. The Congress Became a

Revolutionary Movement: It
(ii) obtaining an apology for the transformed the Indian National Congress
Jallianwala Bagh massacre; from a deliberative assembly into an
organisation for action.
(iii) solving the Khilafat problem.
It became the organiser and leader of the
Gandhiji's promise to achieve Swaraj masses in their national struggle. Thus,
within one year of launching the the Congress became a force to reckon
movement was not fulfilled. But its with.
ultimate gain outweighed the immediate
losses. 4. Fostered Hindu-Muslim Unity: It
fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could
It was a great step forward in the course be seen in the merger of the Khilafat issue
of the Indian national movement in the with this Movement.
following ways:
It provided an opportunity to the Congress
1. The National Movement Became a to bring the urban Muslims into the
Mass Movement: The Indian national National Movement by convincing them
movement, for the first time in history, that the nation was equally concerned
acquired a real mass base with the with the problems affecting them.
participation of different sections of Indian
society such as peasants, workers, 5. Promoted Social Reforms: As a
students, teachers and women. However, consequence of the Non-Cooperation
the big industrialists, capitalists and Movement several steps were taken in the
zamindars still remained hostile. direction of prohibition and removal of
untouchability.
Jawaharlal Nehru described Non-
Cooperation as 'a peaceful rebellion, a Many national schools and colleges were
most civilized form of warfare, and yet set up in different parts of the country.
dangerous to the stability of the State' The boycott of the foreign goods led to the
(British) rule. promotion of Indian handicrafts and
industries. 'Khadi' became the symbol of
2. Instilled Confidence Among the the National Movement.
People: It generated a desire for freedom
and inspired people to challenge the 6. Spread Nationalism to Every Part
colonial rule. Renowned historian Bipin of the Country: The Movement gave a
Chandra has rightly said, "Out of the new boost to nationalism in India.
experience of this attempt to defy openly
the foreign rulers and the Government
At its annual session at Nagpur in Its membership fee was reduced to four
December 1920, changes were made in annas per year to enable the rural and
the Constitution of the Congress. urban poor to become its members.

Provincial Congress Committees were 7. Popularised the Cult of Swaraj: The

reorganised on the basis of linguistic goal of the Non-Cooperation Movement
areas. The Congress was now to be led by was to attain Swaraj within the British
a Working Committee of 15 members, empire, if possible, and outside, if
including the President and the necessary.
secretaries.
The Congress realised the nature and
This would enable the Congress to value of the popular support and though
function as a continuous political the movement failed immediately to
organisation and would provide it with the attain Swaraj, it definitely came nearer to
machinery for implementing resolutions. it.

The Congress organisation was able to

reach down to villages.

FACTORS LEADING UPTO CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for a Civil At its Madras session in 1927, presided
Disobedience Movement in 1930. over by Dr. Ansari, the National Congress
decided to boycott the commission 'at
This movement was to be different from every stage and in every form'.
the Non-Cooperation movement in the
sense that the Non-Cooperation The Muslim League and the Hindu
movement (1921-22) sought to bring the Mahasabha decided to support the
working of the government to a standstill Congress decision. In fact, the Simon
by not cooperating with the Commission united, at least temporarily,
administration, whereas the Civil different groups and parties in the country.
Disobedience Movement was an attempt
at paralysing the administration by On February 3, the day the Commission
breaking some specific rules and reached Bombay, an All-India Hartal was
regulations. organised.

The circumstances that led to the Civil Wherever the Commission went, it was
Disobedience Movement were the greeted with hartals and black flag
following: demonstrations under the slogan 'Simon
Go Back'.
1. Simon Commission: In November
1927, the British Government appointed The Government used brutal suppression
the Indian Statutory Commission, and police attacks to break the popular
popularly known as the Simon opposition.
Commission, (after the name of its
Chairman Sir John Simon) to investigate On October 30, 1928 while leading a
the need for further constitutional demonstration at Lahore railway station,
reforms. Lala Lajpat Rai was grievously injured. He
lost his life as a result of lathi blows from
The Commission was composed of seven the police.
British members of Parliament. It had no
Indian member. Recommendations of the Simon
Commission:
This was seen as a violation of the
principle of self-determination and a 1. Dyarchy should be abolished and there
should be complete autonomy in the
deliberate insult to the self-respect of the
Provinces including the department of law and
Indians. order, but the Governor should be given
overriding powers in certain matters like the
internal security.
2. Provincial Legislative Councils should be banks of the river Ravi at Lahore and hoisted
enlarged. the tricolour flag.

3. Federal government at the Centre, should He proclaimed that it was "a crime against
embrace not only British India but also the man and God to submit any longer" to British
Princely States. rule. The Congress Working Committee met in
January 1930, and decided the following
4. The Governor-General should select and programme:
appoint members of his Cabinet.
(i) Preparation for Civil Disobedience.
5. British troops and British officers should
stay on in Indian regiments for many more (ii) As per the Poorna Swaraj resolution, the
years. word Swaraj in the Congress Constitution
would thenceforth mean Complete
6. High Courts should be under the Independence or Poorna Swaraj which was set
administrative control of the Government of forth as the goal of the National Movement.
India.
(iii) Observance of 26th of January as the
7. The Communal representation was to 'Poorna Swaraj' day, all over the country with
continue. the hoisting of the tricolour flag.

2. Declaration of Poorna Swaraj: The (iv) Resignations by members of the

Calcutta session of the Congress had served legislature.
an ultimatum to the British Government to
accept the Nehru Report by the end of 1929 (v) Withdrawal from all possible association
or to face a mass movement. with the British Government.

Since the one-year time-limit set at the It was decided to observe January 26, as the
Calcutta session passed without any positive Day of Independence every year. Since then,
response from the British Government, the the day was celebrated as Independence Day
Nehru Report was declared to have lapsed at up to 1947.
the Lahore Session of the Congress in 1929.
On achieving independence on August 15,
Jawaharlal Nehru was made the President of 1947, August 15 was designated as the
the Congress at the historic Lahore session of Independence Day.
1929. It passed a resolution declaring Poorna
Swaraj (complete independence) to be the Since 1950, January 26 is celebrated as the
objective of the Congress. Republic Day as it was on this day in 1950 the
Constitution came into existence.
On the midnight of December 31, 1929,
Jawaharlal Nehru led a procession to the

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE (1930-1934) On the morning of 6th April, Gandhiji violated

MOVEMENT the Salt Law at Dandi by picking up some salt
left by the sea waves. According to the Salt
The Congress Working Committee met in Law, the government had the monopoly to
February 1930 at Sabarmati Ashram and manufacture and sell salt.
vested in Gandhiji, powers to launch the Civil
Disobedience Movement. He had selected to attack the Salt Laws
because the salt-tax affected all sections of
Before starting the movement, Gandhiji society, especially the poor.
served on the British government an ‘Eleven
Point Ultimatum'. After waiting in vain for the Gandhiji's breaking of the Salt Laws marked
government response to his ultimatum, the beginning of the Civil Disobedience
Gandhiji started the movement with his Movement.
famous Dandi March from the Sabarmati
Ashram to Dandi on the Gujarat coast. THE PROGRAMME OF THE MOVEMENT

DANDI MARCH Civil Disobedience Movement involved:

On 12th March, Mahatma Gandhi began the (i) Defiance of Salt Laws,
historic march from Sabarmati Ashram to
Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea coast. A (ii) Boycott of liquor,
number of people followed him.
(iii) Boycott of foreign cloth and British (iv) Non-payment of taxes and revenues.
goods of all kinds, and

Civil Disobedience Movement was different from the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The former involved non-payment of taxes and land-revenue as well as violation of laws of
different kinds in addition to Non-Cooperation activities.

The movement reached the extreme north- western corner of India and stirred the brave Pathans.

Under the leadership of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as The Frontier Gandhi', the
Pathans organised the society of Khudai Khidmatgars (or Servants of God), known popularly as
Red Shirts.

They were pledged to non-violence and the freedom struggle.

The movement also became popular in the easternmost part of the country where the Manipuris
joined the movement with great enthusiasm. In Nagaland, Rani Gaidilieu, at the age of 13
responded to Gandhiji's call and raised the banner of revolt against the British rule.

Civil Disobedience Movement resulted in mass strikes and setting up of parallel governments in
several place.

ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE

The Indian Round Table Conference held three sessions which are also referred to as the
First, Second and Third Round Table Conferences.

GANDHI - IRWIN PACT

Since the Satyagraha could not be suppressed, the Government, through Tej Bahadur
Sapru and Jayakar, started negotiations with Gandhiji in jail. This resulted in the signing of
a pact by Gandhiji and Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, in March 1931.

This is known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The government agreed to:

(i) Withdraw all ordinances and end (iv) Restore the confiscated properties of
prosecutions. the satyagrahis.

(ii) Release all political prisoners, except (v) Permit the free collection or
those guilty of violence. manufacture of salt by persons near the
seacoast.
(iii) Permit peaceful picketing of liquor and
foreign cloth shops.

The Congress, in its turn, consented It was attended by Gandhiji as a sole

to the following: representative of the Congress, according
to the terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of
(i) To suspend the Civil Disobedience 1931.
Movement.
The conference was soon deadlocked on
(ii) To participate in the second session of the minorities issue, with separate
the Round Table Conference. electorates being demanded now not only
by Muslims but also by the Depressed
(iii) Not to press for investigation into Classes, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians
police excesses. and Europeans.
Second Round Table Conference
(September 7 to December 1, 1931):
The question of Independence or setting an interview with Viceroy Willingdon. The
up of a responsible Government receded interview was refused.
into the background.
The Congress passed a resolution for the
The British government refused to renewal of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
On January 4, 1932, Gandhiji was arrested.
concede the immediate grant of dominion
status. Gandhiji returned to India Government resorted to repression, issued
disappointed. Ordinances and assumed special powers. The
Congress was declared illegal.
Renewal of Civil Disobedience
Movement: Congress leaders were arrested and their
properties were seized. Communalism was
After the failure of the talks at the Second fanned. Gradually the Civil Disobedience
Session of the Round Table Conference, Movement lost its force. Congress called it off
Gandhiji came back to India. in 1934. Gandhiji withdrew himself from
active politics for a year.
The Great Depression of 1930s in the world
had hit the farmers in India. Gandhiji sought

IMPACT OF THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT

The Civil Disobedience did not succeed around singing patriotic songs in the early
immediately in winning freedom. morning became popular in towns and
villages. Handwritten Patrikas or news-
But it played a significant role by sheets were issued in large numbers.
deepening the social roots of the freedom Even children were organised into Vanara
struggle. Sena and girls had their own separate
Manjari Sena or the cat army.
The importance of the Movement can be
summed up as follows:
5. The Movement under the leadership of
1. The Movement caused a tide of Birla and the 'Harijan Sevak Sangh'
patriotic fervour in the country that would changed the social conditions. The
not leave the Government in peace. The depressed classes were given entry into
Government withdrew the ban on the temples and access to wells, which was
Congress in June 1934. The suspension of earlier denied to them.
the Movement did not mean that people
had abandoned their struggle for freedom. 6. It brought women out of their homes to
participate in politics and to make them
equal partners in the freedom struggle.

2. The Civil Disobedience Movement 7. The Government was convinced that

widened the base of the freedom struggle. basic Constitutional reforms were
A large number of social groups like necessary. The Government of India Act,
merchants and shopkeepers, peasants, 1935, introduced the principle of a
tribals and workers in different parts of Federation and the principle of Provincial
the country were mobilised for the Indian Autonomy; i.e., responsible Government in
national movement. the Provinces.

3. It made people understand the 8. The movement revived the will to fight
significance of the principles of non- the elections. In 1937 the Congress
violence. People could resist violence with achieved positive results in the elections
tolerance and courage. to the Central Legislative Assembly and
Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
4. The movement also popularised new
methods of propaganda. Prabhat Pheris, in
which hundreds of men and women went
QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

The growing resentment against the Lower House of the Indian Legislature and the
British government brought together representatives of the Princely States
various groups and classes of Indians into nominated by their rulers. It would be set up
a common struggle for freedom in the first to draft a new Constitution.
half of the 20th century.
3. There would be a federation of British India
and Indian States. Any province that was not
This wide spread discontentment was prepared to accept the Constitution would be
channelised by the Congress under the allowed to obtain Dominion Status separately.
leadership of Mahatma Gandhi into
various organised movements for 4. The Provinces would be free to join the
independence. It culminated in a Indian Union. If they would not join the Indian
movement calling for complete withdrawal federation, they would formulate their own
of the British from India or the famous Constitutions which could have the same
Quit India Movement. status as the Union of India.

The Cripps' Mission (1942): With the 5. An undertaking would be negotiated

Japanese army rapidly advancing towards between His Majesty's Government and
India, it became necessary for the British the Constituent Assembly covering all
to break the political deadlock in India. matters arising out of the complete
transfer of responsibilities.
Churchill announced in March 1942, that
Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War 6. Provisions would also be made for the
Cabinet, would go to India for consultation protection of the racial and religious
with all the parties. minorities.

The Cripps' Mission proposed the following 7. During the critical years of the War, the
Constitutional reforms: power of the Viceroy would remain as
hitherto and he would be responsible for
1. India would be given a Dominion Status the defence of the country.
when the War would end. This Dominion
would have the freedom to remain with the But the task of organising the military and
British Commonwealth or to secede from it. material resources of India would be the
responsibility of the Government of India
2. A Constituent Assembly would be set up. It with the cooperation of the people of
would consist of the members elected by the India.

Failure of the Cripps' Mission:

Almost all the parties and sections of the people rejected the proposals on the following
grounds:

1. The Cripps' Mission did not bring with it 4. The Hindu Mahasabha rejected the
the promise of independence in the near proposals because it feared the partition
future. of the country.

2. The plan involved partitioning the 5. The Sikhs, the Anglo-Indians, the Indian
country. Christians and labour leaders also
opposed them because they did not
3. The League opposed the creation of a provide sufficient safeguards for their
single union. The proposals did not accept interests.
Pakistan specifically. They did not grant
the right of self-determination to Muslims. 6. The people of the Princely States had
no right to send their representatives to
the proposed Constitution-making body.
Their representatives were to be selected described the Cripps' proposals as a
by the rulers. 'post-dated cheque on a failing bank.'

7. The Congress was opposed to the 8. The Congress wanted that all Subjects,
principle of non-accession of the including Defence should be handed over
provinces. Gandhiji opposed the to the National Government. The Congress
Declaration and urged the Working insisted on the immediate formation of a
Committee to reject it. Mahatma Gandhi National Government with full
responsibility.

Japanese Threat:

The War situation was discouraging in 1942.

The Japanese Army had attacked Burma (Myanmar) and was marching towards Assam.
Gandhiji observed, 'The presence of British in India is an invitation to Japan to
invade India. Their withdrawal removes the bait.'

The Indian leaders were anxious to save their country from the Japanese invasion but
their slavery was a hindrance.

Gandhiji and other leaders were convinced that this situation called for complete
independence from the British immediately. Gandhiji said, 'India's safety, and
Britain's too, lies in the orderly and timely British withdrawal from India'.

So they decided to launch a movement calling upon the British to quit India.

QUIT INDIA RESOLUTION Congress leaders were arrested and taken to

unknown destinations and the Congress was
In 1942, the failure of the Cripps' Mission left no once again declared illegal.
further meeting ground between the British
Government and the Congress. Mahatma Gandhi All over the country there were strikes and
felt that the British presence in India was an demonstrations which were lathi-charged and
invitation to Japan to invade India and that their fired upon. People attacked the symbols of
withdrawal would remove the bait. He therefore, British authority-the police stations, post offices,
asked the British "to leave India in God's hands." railway stations, etc.

The Congress Working Wardha in July, National flags were hoisted on public buildings
1942. It adopted a resolution, known as in defiance of the police. British authority
the Quit India Resolution. The resolution disappeared in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
stated: 'British rule in India must end West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
immediately. Nadu and Maharashtra.

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT In some areas such as Ballia in Eastern U.P.,

Tamluk in Midnapore district of West Bengal and
The All-India Congress Committee met at Satara district of Maharashtra, the nationalists
Bombay on August 8, 1942 and passed the Quit set up parallel governments.
India Resolution adopted at Wardha in July 1942.
Achyutrao Patwardhan, Jai Prakash Narayan,
The Congress proposed to start a non-violent Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali and Nana
mass struggle under Gandhiji's leadership if this Patil were among the prominent leaders of the
demand of immediate and complete underground movement.
independence was not conceded by the British.
In his speech before the All India Congress They set up a Central Directorate at Mumbai.
Committee, Gandhiji declared that it was a They kept the movement alive despite the
decision, government's repressive measures.

"To Do or Die". The movement also saw the active participation

of women such as Matangini Hazra in Bengal,
Before the Congress could start the movement, Kanaklata Barua in Assam and Rama Devi in
the Government struck hard. Early in the Odisha. Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Indian
morning of August 9, Gandhiji and other National flag at the Gowalia Tank ground,
Mumbai in August 9, 1942. She, along with Usha
Mehta, also broadcast news through an
underground radio station.

IMPACT OF THE QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

The Quit India movement made independence

of India as the only agenda of the National
Movement. It proved that there could be no
retreat and future negotiations could only be on
the manner of the transfer of power.

The Movement had the following impact:

1. The Quit India Movement was in fact short-

lived. Its importance lay in the fact that it
demonstrated the depth that nationalist feeling
had reached in the country and the great
capacity for struggle and sacrifice that the
people had developed.

2. It was evident that the British would no longer

find it possible to rule India against the wishes
of the people.

3. It was the mass uprising before attaining

independence. People from all parts of India
took part in processions and demonstrations.
The Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and
Parsis and even people from the Princely States
participated.

4. The Quit India Movement strengthened the

Congress Socialist Party because of its heroic
role in the movement. Its leader Jai Prakash
Narayan became a legendary figure. The Party
continued its underground -movement till 1944
when it came to an end.

5. After the suppression of the Quit India

Movement, the Constitutional question
remained dormant till the close of the War in
1945

6. After the suppression of the Quit India

Movement of 1942, there was hardly any
political activity inside the country till the War
ended in 1945. The leaders of the National
Movement were in jail, and no new leaders
arose to take their place to give a new lead to
the country.

Henceforth, the battle for the freedom of India was

carried on beyond the country's frontiers. It was led by
the Indian National Army and its chief,
Subhas Chandra Bose.