The Quit India Movement
Gandhi's 1942 call for the British to leave India at once, met with mass arrests and a leaderless uprising.
What the paper can ask
- Launched 8 August 1942 at the AICC session in Bombay after the Cripps Mission's failure; the slogan was 'Do or Die'.
- Nearly the whole Congress leadership was jailed within hours; parallel governments ran in Ballia, Tamluk and Satara.
- The Muslim League, the Hindu Mahasabha and the Communist Party of India did not support it.
- Underground leaders included Aruna Asaf Ali; a secret Congress radio broadcast from Bombay.
Why exams ask
The date, the ground in Bombay where Gandhi spoke, the slogan and who stayed out are the usual questions.
The full story
The Quit India Movement was launched on 8 August 1942 at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee, after the Cripps Mission failed; Gandhi's call was 'Do or Die'. Within hours the British jailed almost the whole Congress leadership and the movement went underground: strikes, sabotage, parallel governments in Ballia, Tamluk and Satara, Aruna Asaf Ali's flag-hoisting and a secret Congress radio.
Test yourself
1.At which ground in Bombay did Gandhi give the 'Do or Die' call on 8 August 1942?
Correct. Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement at the AICC Bombay session, speaking at Gowalia Tank Maidan.
Not quite. Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement at the AICC Bombay session, speaking at Gowalia Tank Maidan. It goes into your error book.
2.Who ran the underground 'Congress Radio' from Bombay during the Quit India Movement of 1942?
Correct. Usha Mehta and associates broadcast the secret Congress Radio from August to November 1942 until arrested; Aruna Asaf Ali had hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank on 9 August.
Not quite. Usha Mehta and associates broadcast the secret Congress Radio from August to November 1942 until arrested; Aruna Asaf Ali had hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank on 9 August. It goes into your error book.