AUGUST 8- THE QUIT INDIA DAY
Indian history plays a very crucial role in several developments and changes that have laid the foundation to the current scenario we are in today. We have several important dates in our calendar devoted to the biggest struggles our people fought to free our nation from the intruders. We all know about the Independence day, the republic day and certain other days when our freedom fighters were born or when they died fighting but out of these there are dates when our struggle to independence was initiated and one of them is the QUIT INDIA DAY.
The Quit India Movement is also known as the “August Movement” and the “Leave India Movement”. This movement was launched at the Bombay session of All-India Congress Committee led by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8,1942, during the World War II, which was done to end the British rule in India and was supported by Jawaharlal Nehru and many other leaders.
Recently, last year we have completed 78 years of this Quit India Movement on August 8, 2020.
WHY IS QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT IMPORTANT?
Well, before answering this question I would like you to just imagine yourself being locked in a room in your own house by some strangers who want to occupy your house and want you to do slavery for them. Somewhat relatable to what happened in the past to our country and to the people. Mahatma Gandhi gave the call for the public to join hands and end the British rule and thus he initiated this movement with the slogan “DO OR DIE“(karo ya maro) at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, which is now popularly known as the “AUGUST KRANTI MAIDAN”. It makes us very proud to turn back the pages of History and see that even though women have always been suppressed in our society yet they somehow managed to make their contribution towards the Independence of our country wherever they could find an opportunity. Aruna Asaf Ali popularly known as the “Grand Old Lady” of the Independence movement hoisted the Indian Flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during this movement. The slogan “QUIT INDIA” was given by Yusuf Meherally who was a socialist, a trade unionist and also served as a Mayor of Mumbai. He also coined the slogan “SIMON GO BACK”.
WHAT WERE THE CAUSES FOR THIS MOVEMENT?
The immediate cause for this movement can be taken to be the British assumption of unconditional support from India to British in the World War II was not taken well by the Indian National Congress. Also the Anti- British sentiments and demand for full-Independence had gained popularity among the Indian masses.
WHAT WERE THE DEMANDS OF THE QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT?
The demand was very clear with the struggle every Indian faced back then. They wanted to end the British Rule in India and form a provisional government after the withdrawal of Britishers.
OUTCOMES OF THIS MOVEMENT
This movement was violently suppressed by the British Rulers- people were shot dead, lathi-charged, heavy fines were imposed on them and were forced to pay, villages were burnt around. While the Quit India Movement was crushed in 1944, with the British refusing to grant immediate Independence, they came to this important realization that India was ungovernable in the long run due to the cost of World War II. It changed the nature of political negotiations, paving way for Independence.
Eduindex News 
You must be logged in to post a comment.