Question

Describe the reasons leading to the proposal of the Quit India Resolution.

Answer 1

Instructions: Discuss the factors leading to the Quit India Resolution:

• Failure of the Cripps Mission
• Deteriorating communal condition
• Possibility of a Japanese attack on India

Solution: ​

• Failure of the Cripps Mission: The Cripps Proposals suggested dividing India into several independent states. Thus, they were rejected by the Congress. Moreover, there wasn’t any fixed time limit regarding the grant of Dominion Status. There was an absence of any plan for immediate handover of power or of any real share in administration.
• Deteriorating communal condition: In 1940, the Muslim League, under Mr. Jinnah, was determined to attain Pakistan. Jinnah feared that the Muslims wouldn’t get justice from the Congress, which furthered communal tension. The British were favouring the Muslims against the Hindus, which deteriorated the condition further.
• Possibility of a Japanese attack on India: Gandhi argued that the presence of
• the British had been a threat to the security and safety of India. Japan had no enmity with India, but was fighting in the Second World War against Britain. Since India was a British colony, there was an imminent threat of a Japanese attack on India. Thus, it was perceived that if the British left India, India could be saved from this attack. Gandhi argued that India’s safety depended on the timely withdrawal of the British from India. On 8th August 1942, the All India Congress Committee met at Bombay and passed the Quit India Resolution.