Today marks the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Movement, one of the most decisive and powerful uprisings in India’s freedom struggle. Launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, in Bombay (now Mumbai), the movement was a clear and direct call to the British to “Quit India” immediately.

At a historic session of the All India Congress Committee held at Gowalia Tank Maidan, Gandhi delivered his iconic “Do or Die” speech, urging Indians to fight for independence with unwavering resolve. The Congress Party passed the Quit India Resolution, officially demanding an end to British rule.

The movement erupted across the country with massive protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience. Although top Congress leaders, including Gandhi, were arrested within hours of the launch, the movement quickly transformed into a people’s revolution. Students, farmers, workers, tribal communities, and women took to the streets, leading the charge for freedom.

Why Quit India?

The Quit India Movement was fueled by a growing dissatisfaction with British colonial rule and a series of triggering events that intensified public unrest. One of the major catalysts was the failure of the Cripps Mission, which failed to offer India genuine self-rule or any clear path toward independence. Alongside this political disappointment, the economic conditions in the country had worsened significantly due to World War II, causing widespread hardship.

The looming threat of a Japanese invasion as the war crept closer to India's borders further heightened fears and urgency. Adding to the unrest was the deep-rooted public anger over decades of colonial exploitation, injustice, and suffering under British governance. All these factors came together to ignite one of the most intense phases of India’s freedom struggle.

Mass uprising

The Quit India Movement saw widespread participation, particularly from rural India. Despite the brutal crackdown by the British, the movement gained momentum in villages and towns across the country.

With senior Congress leaders behind bars, young leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Aruna Asaf Ali rose to prominence. Aruna Asaf Ali famously hoisted the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank ground, becoming a symbol of defiance and bravery.

Though the Quit India Movement was suppressed by 1944, it left behind a powerful legacy that significantly shaped India’s path to independence. The movement dealt a serious blow to British control and moral authority, exposing the deep discontent and resistance within Indian society. 

It successfully galvanised mass support across the country, uniting people from all walks of life in the fight for freedom. Most importantly, it laid the groundwork for India’s eventual independence in 1947 by fostering a spirit of defiance and self-determination that could no longer be ignored.

Even decades later, the Quit India Movement stands as a reminder of the power of unified resistance and the people’s determination to reclaim their nation’s destiny.

As India remembers August Kranti today, the echoes of “Do or Die” continue to inspire the spirit of freedom, courage, and national pride.