Which of the following statements about Quit India Movement of 1942 is...
The Quit India Movement or the August Movement was a Civil Disobedience Movement launched in August, 1942 in response to Mahatma Gandhi’s call for Satyagraha (Independence).
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Which of the following statements about Quit India Movement of 1942 is...
Quit India Movement of 1942
Introduction:
The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Movement, was a significant milestone in India's struggle for independence against British colonial rule. Launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, this movement aimed to demand an immediate end to British rule in India.
1. The movement was massive in character:
- The Quit India Movement was indeed massive in character, with millions of Indians participating in various forms of protests, demonstrations, and strikes all across the country.
- People from all walks of life, including students, workers, peasants, and women, actively participated in the movement, making it one of the largest mass movements in India's history.
- The movement witnessed a widespread shutdown of government offices, educational institutions, and industries, paralyzing the British administration.
2. Participation of communists at the local level:
- One unique feature of the Quit India Movement was the participation of communists at the local level, defying the official stand of the Communist Party.
- The Communist Party of India initially opposed the Quit India Movement, as they were following the Soviet Union's policy of supporting the Allied powers during World War II.
- However, at the grassroots level, many local communist leaders and activists actively took part in the movement, recognizing the opportunity to join forces with other anti-colonial forces.
3. Non-violent nature of the movement:
- Contrary to the third statement, the Quit India Movement was not completely non-violent.
- While the movement was predominantly non-violent in nature, there were instances of violence, especially during the initial phase when the British government launched a crackdown on the movement.
- The British authorities responded to the movement with repression, arrests, and violence, leading to clashes between protesters and the police in some places.
- However, the overarching philosophy of the movement, as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, was non-violence and civil disobedience.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the correct statements about the Quit India Movement of 1942 are:
- The movement was massive in character, with widespread participation from various sections of society.
- The participation of communists at the local level, defying the official stand of the Communist Party, was a unique feature of the movement.
- While the movement aimed to be non-violent, instances of violence did occur during the course of the movement due to the repressive actions of the British authorities.