The Wardha Resolution
The Congress Working Committee in Wardha adopted a resolution demanding complete independence from British rule.
This resolution was a strong statement, threatening a mass civil disobedience movement if the British did not agree to transfer power. It laid the groundwork for the 'Quit India' call, signaling the Congress's intent to launch a decisive struggle.
'Quit India' Resolution & 'Do or Die'
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Bombay ratified the 'Quit India' Resolution, and Mahatma Gandhi delivered his iconic 'Do or Die' speech.
Gandhi urged Indians to act as an independent nation and either 'Do or Die' in their efforts to achieve complete freedom. This passionate call electrified the nation and became the slogan for the movement, demanding the immediate end of British rule.
Mass Arrests and Immediate Repression
Within hours of the resolution, the British government launched 'Operation Zero Hour', arresting Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and other prominent Congress leaders.
The swift arrests aimed to decapitate the movement, but instead, it fueled spontaneous, leaderless protests across the country. The absence of top leadership meant the movement became truly a people's rebellion, often taking violent forms.
People's Rebellion and British Crackdown
Despite the lack of central leadership, the movement spread rapidly with widespread strikes, demonstrations, sabotage of communication lines, and attacks on government buildings.
Railways, telegraph lines, and police stations were targeted, reflecting the deep resentment against British rule. The British responded with extreme force, including lathi charges, firing, and mass arrests, leading to thousands of deaths and injuries.
Emergence of Parallel Governments
In several regions like Ballia (Uttar Pradesh), Tamluk (Bengal), and Satara (Maharashtra), local leaders established 'parallel governments' or 'prati sarkars' for a short period.
These parallel administrations, often short-lived, demonstrated the depth of nationalist sentiment and the people's ability to self-govern, even if temporarily. They performed basic administrative functions, administered justice, and collected taxes, challenging British authority directly.
Gandhi's Fast and Subsequent Release
While imprisoned, Mahatma Gandhi undertook a 21-day fast in February 1943, demanding his release and protesting against British repression. He was eventually released on May 6, 1944, due to failing health.
Gandhi's fast garnered international attention and put immense pressure on the British government. His release, though primarily due to health concerns, marked a turning point, as the intensity of the movement had begun to wane by this time, and political negotiations would soon resume.
The Defining Push for Freedom
The Quit India Movement, despite its suppression, fundamentally altered the course of India's independence struggle.
It demonstrated the widespread desire for immediate independence and the willingness of the masses to make sacrifices. It left the British with no doubt that their rule in India was unsustainable. The movement also shifted international opinion, with global leaders recognizing the urgency of Indian independence, ultimately paving the way for the transfer of power in 1947.