Spectrum Summary: Quit India movement, Demand for Pakistan and the INA | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Quit India Movement

• CWC meeting at wardha (July 14, 1942) accepted the idea of a struggle. 
•  The reasons to start a struggle were several— 
• Failure of the Cripps Mission to solve the constitutional deadlock 
•  There was popular discontent because of rising prices and shortage of rice, salt, etc., and because of factors such as commandeering of boats in Bengal and Orissa. 
•  There were fears of Britain following a scorched earth policy in Assam, Bengal and Orissa against possible Japanese advance. 
•  News of reverses suffered by the British in South- East Asia and an imminent British collapse enhanced popular willingness to give expression to discontent. 
•  The Japanese troops were approaching the borders of India. Popular faith in the stability of British rule was so low that people were withdrawing deposits from banks and post offices. 
• British behaviour towards the Indian subjects in South-East Asia exposed the racist attitude of the rulers. 
• Leadership wanted to condition the masses for a possible Japanese invasion.

Why Start a Struggle Now

• Failure of the Cripps Mission: The Cripps Mission had failed to resolve the constitutional deadlock in India, which created a sense of urgency for change. 
• Popular Discontent: There was widespread discontent due to rising prices and shortages of essential items like rice and salt. Additionally, the commandeering of boats in Bengal and Orissa contributed to the unrest. 
• Fears of Scorched Earth Policy: There were fears that Britain might implement a scorched earth policy in Assam, Bengal, and Orissa in response to a possible Japanese advance. 
• British Reverses in South-East Asia: News of British setbacks in South-East Asia and the prospect of a British collapse increased public willingness to express discontent. 
• Japanese Troop Proximity: The approaching Japanese troops added to the atmosphere of uncertainty and instability. 
• Erosion of Faith in British Rule: Public faith in the stability of British rule had eroded to the point where people were withdrawing their deposits from banks and post offices. 
• British Behaviour in South-East Asia: The British treatment of Indian subjects in South-East Asia revealed the racist attitude of the rulers, further fueling discontent in India. 

• Leadership wanted to condition the masses for a possible Japanese invasion.

The 'Quit India' Resolution 

 The Quit India Resolution was approved during a Congress meeting at Gowalia Tank in Bombay on August 8, 1942. 

•  The meeting called for an immediate end to British rule in India. 
•  It expressed India's commitment to defend itself against all forms of Fascism and imperialism. 
•  The formation of a provisional Government of India was proposed, to be established after British withdrawal. 
•  A civil disobedience movement against British rule was also sanctioned. 

Gandhi's General Instructions to Different Sections

• Government servants: Do not resign, but declare your allegiance to the Congress. 
• Soldiers: Do not leave the Army, but do not fire on compatriots. 
• Students: If confident, consider leaving studies. 
• Peasants: If zamindars are anti-government, pay mutually agreed rent. If zamindars are pro-government, do not pay rent. 
• Princes: Support the masses and accept the sovereignty of your people. 
• People of Princely states: Support the ruler only if he is anti-government and declare yourselves to be a part of the Indian nation.

Spread of the Movement

• Congress Organizations Declared Unlawful: The Congress Working Committee, the All India Congress Committee, and the Provincial Congress Committees were deemed illegal under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908. 
• Public Uprisings: People attacked symbols of authority and forcibly raised national flags on public buildings. 
• Underground Activities: Many nationalists went underground and engaged in subversive activities, including Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists, and local organizations. 
• Establishment of Parallel Governments:Parallel governments were set up in various places, such as: 
  •  Ballia (August 1942) under Chittu Pandey. 
  •  Tamluk (Midnapore, December 1942 to September 1944) by Jatiya Sarkar. 
  •  Satara (mid-1943 to 1945) known as "Prati Sarkar." 

Extent of Mass Participation:

• Youth and Students: School and college students, especially girls, were at the forefront of the movement, with notable figures like Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani, and Usha Mehta. 
• Workers: Workers participated in strikes and faced repression. 
• Peasants: Peasants from all strata, including some zamindars, were central to the movement. 
• Government Officials: Lower-level government officials eroded loyalty to the government by participating in the movement. 
• Muslims: Muslims provided shelter to underground activists, and there were no communal clashes during the movement. 

Political Responses:

• Communists: The Communists did not join the movement as they supported the British war against Germany, influenced by the Nazi attack on Russia. 
• Muslim League: The Muslim League opposed the movement, fearing Hindu oppression of minorities if the British left India. 
• Hindu Mahasabha: The Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the movement. 
• Princely States: Princely states exhibited a low-key response to the movement.

Government Repression 

• Leadership Vacuum: With leaders absent, violence became more common during the movement. 
• Main Areas of Resistance: The movement was strongest in the eastern United Provinces, Bihar, Midnapore, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. 
• Backbone of the Movement: Students, workers, and peasants were the core support for the movement, while upper classes and the bureaucracy mostly remained loyal to the government. 
• Erosion of Loyalty: There was a significant decline in loyalty to the government. 
• Shift in Power Dynamics: The movement demonstrated that India could no longer be ruled without considering the wishes of its people. 
• Spontaneity and Initiative: The element of spontaneity in the movement was higher than before, although some popular initiatives were sanctioned by the leadership with certain limitations. 
• Demand for Independence: The movement placed the demand for independence at the forefront of the national agenda. After Quit India, there was no turning back. 
• Heroism and Militancy: The common people displayed extraordinary heroism and militancy in their struggle, facing brutal repression under very adverse circumstances. 

Gandhi's Hunger Strike and Famine of 1943 

•  The fast aimed to raise public morale, intensify anti-British sentiments, create opportunities for political activity, and expose the government's high-handedness. 
•  Gandhi's determination during the fast showcased his strength against opponents. On March 23, 1943, Pakistan Day was observed, highlighting the political climate of the time. 

 Bengal Famine of 1943 

 The Bengal Famine of 1943 exacerbated the horrors and inconveniences of war, with south-west Bengal being the worst affected region. 

•  The famine was primarily caused by the need to feed a large army, which diverted foodstuffs, the cessation of rice imports from Burma and South-East Asia, and gross mismanagement and deliberate profiteering. 
•  Rationing methods were implemented late and were restricted to big cities, further aggravating the situation. 

Rajagopalachari Formula 

•  The Muslim League endorsing the Congress demand for independence. 
•  The League cooperating with the Congress in forming a provisional government at the center. 
•  A plebiscite for the population of Muslim-majority areas in North-West and North-East India to decide on the formation of a separate sovereign state after the war. 
•  In case of acceptance of partition, joint agreements for safeguarding defense, commerce, and communications. 
•  The terms being operative only if England transferred full powers to India. 

Objections: Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League, wanted the Congress to accept the two-nation theory, while Hindu leaders like Vir Savarkar criticized the CR Plan. 

Desai-Liaqat Pact 

Wavell Plan 

Why the Government Wanted a Solution: The British government was keen on finding a solution due to the upcoming general election in England, pressure from the Allies for greater Indian cooperation in the war, and the desire to redirect Indian energies into more profitable channels for the British. 

The Plan: In June 1945, Viceroy Lord Wavell convened a conference at Shimla with the following main proposals: 

•  All members of the executive council, except the governor-general and the commander-in-chief, would be Indians. 
•  Caste Hindus and Muslims would have equal representation. 
•  The reconstructed council would function as an interim government within the framework of the 1935 Act. 
•  The governor-general would exercise his veto on the advice of ministers. 
•  Representatives of different parties would submit a joint list to the viceroy for nominations to the executive council, with the possibility of separate lists if a joint list was not feasible. 
•  Negotiations for a new constitution would be kept open once the war was won. 

Muslim League’s Stand: The Muslim League claimed some form of veto in the council, requiring a two-thirds majority for decisions opposed to Muslims. 

Congress Stand: The Congress objected to the Wavell Plan, arguing that it aimed to reduce the Congress to the status of a purely caste Hindu party and insisted on its right to include members of all communities among its nominees. 

Wavell’s Mistake: Wavell erred by announcing a breakdown of talks, inadvertently giving the Muslim League a virtual veto in the process.

The Indian National Army and Subhash Bose

• Subhash Chandra Bose was a courageous individual who initially passed the Indian Civil Services examination, securing the fourth position. However, he chose to resign from this prestigious position in 1921 to join the fight for India’s freedom. His political mentor was Chittaranjan Das, who played a significant role in shaping Bose’s political career. In 1923, Das became the mayor of Calcutta. 
• In March 1940, Bose organized an Anti-Compromise Conference at Ramgarh, collaborating with the Forward Bloc and the Kisan Sabha to promote a more aggressive stance for independence. During his time in Germany, Bose earned the title 'Netaji', meaning 'Respected Leader.' 
• It was from the Free India Centre in Germany that he popularized the slogan ‘Jai Hind ’, which means 'Victory to India.' Beginning in January 1942, Bose started regular broadcasts from Berlin radio, which inspired and motivated Indians listening back home.

Origin and First Phase of the Indian National Army (INA)

•  The concept of forming an army from Indian prisoners of war (POWs) was initially proposed by Mohan Singh. The Japanese authorities handed over the Indian POWs to Mohan Singh, who attempted to recruit them into the Indian National Army. 
•  The INA gained momentum following the outbreak of the Quit India Movement in 1942. In September of the same year, the first division of the INA was established, comprising 16,300 men. 

Second Phase: Subhash Bose's Leadership:

•  The second phase of the INA commenced with the arrival of Subhash Chandra Bose in Singapore. Prior to this, in June 1943, Bose, under the pseudonym Abid Hussain, reached Tokyo and met with Japanese Prime Minister Tojo. 
•  In Japan, Rashbehari Bose, a prominent figure, became a naturalized citizen. He established the Indian Club of Tokyo and delivered lectures on the detrimental effects of Western imperialism. 

Leadership and Government Formation:

•  Subhash Bose assumed the role of Supreme Commander of the INA on August 25, 1943. On October 21 of the same year, he founded the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore, appointing various officials to different portfolios. 
•  The INA headquarters was relocated to Rangoon (in Burma) in January 1944, with the army recruits set to march from there, chanting the war cry "Chalo Delhi!"

Territorial Gains and Military Advances:

•  On November 6, 1943, the Japanese army transferred the Andaman and Nicobar islands to the INA. These islands were subsequently renamed Shahid Dweep and Swaraj Dweep. 
•  On July 6, 1944, Subhash Bose addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the "Father of the Nation" during a broadcast from Azad Hind Radio, becoming the first person to use this title for Gandhi. 
•  The Azad Hind Fauz crossed the Burma border and entered Indian territory on March 18, 1944. The INA units advanced as far as Kohima and Imphal.