The Quit India Movement and the Slogan ‘Do or Die’

The Quit India Movement, launched in 1942, was one of the most crucial phases of India’s struggle for independence. It was during this movement that Mahatma Gandhi gave the historic call of ‘Do or Die’, urging Indians to fight until the British were forced to leave India. This movement marked the final, decisive mass uprising against British rule.

In this article, we will explore the background, causes, major events, impact, and significance of the Quit India Movement and the significance of the slogan ‘Do or Die’.

Background of the Quit India Movement

1. Growing Discontent Against British Rule

• By the early 1940s, Indians had grown extremely frustrated with British policies.
  
  
• The failure of previous reforms, including the Government of India Act, 1935, and the inability of the British to address Indian demands, had increased nationalist sentiments.
  
  
• British policies were still based on exploitation and repression, and Indians had lost all hope in gradual reforms.

2. Impact of World War II

• The British had dragged India into World War II (1939-1945) without consulting Indian leaders.
  
  
• Indian soldiers were forced to fight for the British, even though Indians had no say in their governance.
  
  
• The economic crisis due to the war led to inflation, food shortages, and suffering among Indian masses.
  
  
• The Bengal Famine of 1943, which killed millions, further exposed British negligence.

3. Failure of the Cripps Mission (1942)

• In 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps, a British minister, came to India with a plan to grant India Dominion Status after World War II.
  
  
• However, the proposal offered no immediate freedom and kept British control intact, which was rejected by the Indian National Congress (INC).
  
  
• The failure of the Cripps Mission angered Indians further, and it became clear that only a mass movement could force the British to leave.

The Launch of the Quit India Movement

1. The Historic Call: ‘Do or Die’

• On August 8, 1942, at the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement.
  
  
• In his powerful speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan (now August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai), Gandhi declared:
  
  
  • “We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery.”
    
    
  • This became the famous slogan: ‘Do or Die’.

2. Immediate British Response: Mass Arrests

• The British reacted immediately by arresting Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and other Congress leaders overnight.
  
  
• The Indian National Congress was banned, and its offices were raided.
  
  
• With its leaders in jail, the movement became leaderless, but the people continued the struggle on their own.

Phases of the Quit India Movement

The movement had three main phases:

1. The First Phase: Mass Protests (August-September 1942)

• People organized strikes, demonstrations, and processions.
• Students and workers boycotted schools, colleges, and factories.
• Trains, telegraph lines, and government buildings were attacked in various parts of India.

2. The Second Phase: Underground Resistance (Mid-1942 to Early 1943)

• Since most leaders were in jail, secret revolutionary groups carried out underground activities.
  
  
• Leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Aruna Asaf Ali led underground movements.
  
  
• Communications and railway lines were sabotaged to disrupt British administration.

3. The Third Phase: Strong British Repression (1943-1944)

• The British used brutal force to suppress the movement.
• Over 10,000 people were killed, and thousands were imprisoned.
• Many revolutionaries were tortured or shot dead by the police.

Despite the violent crackdown, the British failed to completely crush the movement, and resistance continued across the country.

Key Leaders of the Quit India Movement

1. Mahatma Gandhi – The leader of the movement who gave the call for ‘Do or Die’.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru – Arrested immediately, but played a key role before his imprisonment.
3. Sardar Patel – Encouraged people to protest non-violently.
4. Jayaprakash Narayan – Led underground resistance against British rule.
5. Ram Manohar Lohia – Carried out clandestine radio broadcasts and inspired revolutionaries.
6. Aruna Asaf Ali – Known as the “Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence”, she was a fearless activist.
7. Subhash Chandra Bose (though not directly involved, he supported the movement through the Indian National Army (INA)).

Impact of the Quit India Movement

1. Political Impact: The British Knew They Had to Leave

• The movement showed the British that they could no longer rule India peacefully.
  
  
• It united Indians across caste, religion, and class, proving that the demand for independence was widespread.
  
  
• Although it was violently suppressed, the British realized that they could not govern India without Indian cooperation.

2. Strengthening of the Freedom Struggle

• The movement inspired future independence movements and weakened British authority.
• The Indian National Army (INA) under Subhash Chandra Bose gained more support.
• Indian soldiers in the British Army also started questioning British loyalty.

3. Increased Brutality of the British

• The British used extreme force, killing thousands and jailing many more.
• The Bengal Famine of 1943, where millions died, was partly due to British policies that diverted resources to war efforts instead of feeding Indians.

4. Role in India’s Independence (1947)

• Though the movement was crushed, it played a huge role in forcing the British to leave.
• By 1945, Britain was economically and politically weak due to World War II.
• The Quit India Movement, combined with the Naval Mutiny of 1946 and INA trials, finally led to the British decision to grant India independence in 1947.

Why Was the Slogan ‘Do or Die’ So Important?

1. It United the Nation: The slogan rallied people from all backgrounds to fight against British rule.
   
   
2. It Created a Sense of Urgency: Gandhi made it clear that this was the final battle for independence.
   
   
3. It Inspired Revolutionary Activities: Many revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh’s followers, saw it as a call to arms.
   
   
4. It Frightened the British: The British had never seen such a mass uprising on this scale before.

Conclusion

The Quit India Movement and the slogan ‘Do or Die’ were crucial in India’s struggle for freedom. The movement united Indians, weakened the British, and set the stage for India’s independence in 1947.

Although the movement faced brutal repression, its impact was undeniable. It proved that the British could no longer hold India by force, and that independence was inevitable.

The spirit of ‘Do or Die’ lives on as a symbol of courage, determination, and the ultimate fight for freedom.