QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT, DEMAND FOR PAKISTAN, AND THE INA Flashcards
After Cripps’ departure, Gandhi framed a resolution calling for British withdrawal and a non violent ________ movement against any Japanese invasion. The CWC meeting at Wardha (July 14, 1942) accepted the idea of a struggle.
Non Cooperation.
Why struggle for Quit India was started?
- The failure of the Cripps Mission to solve the constitutional deadlock exposed Britain’s unchanged attitude on constitutional advance and made it clear that any more silence would be tantamount to accepting the British right to decide the fate of Indians without consulting them.
- 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.
- The manner in which the British evacuated from South-East Asia leaving the subjects to their fate (two roads were provided - Black Road for Indian refugees and White Road exclusively for European refugees), and the rout of a European power by an Asian power shattered white prestige and the British behaviour towards the Indian subjects in South-East Asia exposed the racist attitude of the rulers.
- The leadership wanted to condition the masses for a possible Japanese invasion.
Quit India resolution was proposed by and seconded by?
Proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru and seconded by Sardar Patel.
The Quit India resolution was ratified at the Congress meeting at ________ .
Gowalia Tank, Bombay, on August 8, 1942.
Provisions of Quit India resolution?
- Demand an immediate end to British rule in India.
- Declare commitment of free India to defend itself against all types of Fascism and imperialism.
- Form a provisional Government of India after British withdrawal.
- Sanction a civil disobedience movement against British rule.
Gandhi was named the leader of the struggle.
Gandhi’s General Instructions to Different Sections during Quit India Movement?
Gandhi’s special instructions were spelt out at the Gowalia Tank meeting but not actually issued.
- 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, leave studies.
- Peasants: If zamidars are anti government, pay mutually agreed rent, and if zamidars are pro government, do not pay rent.
- Princes: Support the masses and accept sovereignty of your people.
- Princely states’ people: Support the ruler only if he is anti government and declare yourselves to be a part of the Indian nation.
- Gandhi’s mantra: Do or Die.
During August 9, 1942, all the top leaders of the Congress were arrested and taken to unknown locations.
Who presided over the Congress Committee session on August 9, and hoisted the flag?
Aruna Asaf Ali.
Which committees were declared unlawful during the Quit India Movement?
The Congress Working Committee, the All India Congress Committee and the Provincial Congress Committees were declared unlawful associations under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908. The assembly of public meetings was prohibited under rule 56 of the Defense of India Rules.
During Quit India Movement students started writing and distributing illegal news sheets which were called?
Patrikas.
Organisations that participated in the underground activities during the Quit India Movement?
- Socialists
- Forward Bloc members
- Gandhi ashramites
- Revolutionary nationalists
- Local organizations in Bombay.
Personalities who took underground activities during Quit India Movement?
- Rammanohar Lohia
- Jayaprakash Narayan
- Aruna Asaf Ali
- Usha Mehta
- Biju Patnaik
- Chhotubhai Puranik
- Achyut Patwardhan
- Sucheta Kriplani
- R.P. Goenka.
Who started an underground radio in Bombay during the Quit India Movement?
Usha Mehta.
Parallel Goverments during Quit India Movement?
- Ballia (in August 1942 for a week)– under Chittu Pandey. He got many Congress leaders released.
- Tamluk (Midnapore, from December 1942 to September 1944)– Jatiya Sarkar undertook cyclone relief work, sanctioned grants to schools, supplied paddy from the rich to the poor, organized Vidyut Vahinis, etc.
- Satara (mid-1943 to 1945)– named “Prati Sarkar”, was organised by leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organised, prohibition campaigns were carried on and ‘Gandhi marriages’ were organised.
Extent of Mass Participation during Quit India Movement?
- Youth- remained in forefront.
- Women- actively participated.
- Workers- strikes
- Peasants- were heart of the movement, even zamidars participated.
- Government officials- especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of goverment loyalty.
- Muslims- helped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes.
- The Communists- did not join the movement; in the wake of Russia being attacked by Nazi Germany, the communists began to support the British war against Germany and the Imperialist War became the people’s war.
- The Muslim League opposed the movement, fearing that if the British left India at that time, the minorities would be oppressed by the Hindus.
- The Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the movement.
- The Princely states showed a low key response.
Who did not supported the Quit India Movement?
- The Communists- did not join the movement; in the wake of Russia (where the communists were in power) being attacked by Nazi Germany, the communists began to support the British war against Germany and the Imperialist War became the people’s war.
- The Muslim League opposed the movement, fearing that if the British left India at that time, the minorities would be oppressed by the Hindus.
- The Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the movement.
- The Princely states showed a low key response.
Was Martial Law applied during the Quit India Movement?
Although martial law was not applied, the repression was severe.
Pakistan Day was observed on?
March 23, 1943.
Conditions that led to the Bengal Famine in 1943?
- The need to feed a vast Army diverted foodstuffs.
- Rice imports from Burma and South East Asia has been stopped.
- The famine got aggravated by gross mismanagement and deliberate profiteering; rationing methods were belated and were confined to big cities.
CR Formula was given by whom and when?
Given in 1944 by C. Rajagopalachari. It was a tacit acceptance of the League’s demand for Pakistan.
Gandhi supported the formula.
Main points of CR Formula?
- Muslim League to endorse Congress demand for independence.
- League to cooperate with Congress in forming a provisional government at centre.
- After the end of the war, the entire population of Muslim majority in the North- West and North-East of India to decide by plebiscite, whether or not to form a separate sovereign state.
- In case of acceptance of partition, agreement to be made jointly for safeguarding defence, commerce, communications, etc.
- The above terms to be operative only if England transferred full” powers to India.
Objections to Rajagopalachari formula?
- Jinnah wanted the Congress to accept the two nation theory. He wanted only the Muslims of North-West and North-East to vote in the plebiscite and not the entire population. He also opposed the idea of a common centre.
- While the Congress was ready to cooperate with the League for the independence of the Indian Union, the League did not care for independence of the Union. It was only interested in a separate nation.
- Hindu leaders led by Vir Savarkar condemned the CR plan.
What was the Desai Liaqat Pact?
Between Bhulabhai Desai from Congress and Liaqat Ali Khan from Muslim League.
1. An equal number of persons nominated by the Congress and the League in the central legislature.
2. 20% reserved seats for minorities.
No settlement could be reached between the Congress and the League on these lines.
What was the Wavell Plan?
A conference was convened by the viceroy, Lord Wavell, at Shimla in 1945. Main proposals were:-
1. With the exception of the governor-general and the commander-in-chief, all members of the executive council, were to be Indians.
2. Caste Hindus and Muslims were to have have equal representation.
3. The reconstructed council was to function as an interim government within the framework of the 1935 Act (i.e. not responsible to the Central Assembly).
4. The governor-general was to exercise his veto on the advice of ministers.
5. Representatives of different parties were to submit a joint list to the viceroy for nominations to the executive council. If a joint list was not possible, then separate lists were to be submitted.
6. Possibilities were to be kept open for negotiations on a new constitution once the war was finally won.
Muslim League stand on Wavell Plan?
- The League wanted all Muslim members to be League nominees.
- The League claimed some kind of veto in the council with decisions opposed to Muslims needing a two-thirds majority for approval.