Discuss the progress of the Quit

India Movement. What was its importance in the history of the national movement for independence in India?

Or

How was Quit India Movement genuinely a Mass Movement? Explain.

The Quit India Movement started on 9 August, 1942. The main reason for its beginning was that during the Second World War, Japan had occupied Burma. It was feared that Japan might attack India to harm the British interests. At this time, Congress passed a resolution to start the Quit India Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. This resolution was passed as many leaders of the Congress felt that Japan would not attack India if the British left it. Besides the resolution for Quit India Movement, the Congress also resolved not to accept anything less than complete independence for India.

Beginning and Progress of the Movement : The Quit India Movement was started on 9 August, 1942 under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. He challenged the British to quit India. Soon after there were slogans of “Quit India” all over the country. The British put their full might to repress this movement. Most of the political leaders were arrested. It infuriated the people who started plundering government offices, railway stations and post offices. The British became more adamant and they put innumerable people behind the bars. The whole country was turned into a prison. Till February, 1943, the Quit India continued with success. But after that, it lost its momentum because of the repressive policy of the government. It came to an end slowly and steadily.

Significance : Quit India was really a mass movement. It had the participation of lakhs of ordinary people. The British officials had also realised how wide was the discontent among the people against them and their rule. They came to know that the ultimate goal of all the Indians was complete independence from the British rule. No doubt the British crushed the movement but it failed to crush the spirit for freedom inherent in the hearts of the common people. So great was the impact of this movement that the British had free India within three years from the end of this historic movement.