The Quit India Resolution (1942)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

• After Japan announced it would invade British areas
• In May 1942 Ghandi spoke at a congress meeting in Allahabad saying; “British behavior towards India has filled me with great pain.”
• Ghandi said if the Japanese were to invade India it would take another 100 years for independence
• He agued that if the British left India, there would be no threat of a Japanese invasion
• Since the Japanese were the enemies of the British, and not the Indians, they wanted to kick them out
• Jinnah said it was another effort to cause misery to the British

Question 2

The Resolution

Answer 2

• On 8th of August 1942, the All India congress Committee passed its ‘Quit India Resolution’ calling for the immediate withdrawal of the British
• To support it there should be
  ‘A mass struggle on non-violent lines on the widest possible scale.’

Question 3

Outcome, Consequences, and Aftermath

Answer 3

• Two days later Nehru, Ghandi and others were arrested
• The Congress was banned
• There was anarchy
• Widespread riots
• British lost control in many areas and to regain it by force, at the expense of many Indian lives
• League did not approve
• They saw it as an attempt to drive out the British, in order to gain power and dominate India (Hindus)
• Jinnah labelled it as “blackmail” as the congress tried to exploit the British for their own benefit